By line: Andani Matumba
20 February 2022
Two male suspects, aged 30 and 33 respectively are due to separately appear before court after being arrested on allegations of possession of large volume of dagga, one cornered in Piet Retief whilst the other at Kriel.
According to reports by police, yesterday afternoon, Saturday, 19 February 2022 police at Kriel, information was provided about a man allegedly selling dagga even to learners in the area.
At around 13h00 on the said day, police then launched an operation on those details and went to a certain house in the area and where they found the suspect.
The astute members then searched a room, where the said man (aged 33) resides as a tenant.
Police discovered about 25 packaged plastics stashed with dagga estimated at the street value of about R50 000.
The man was then arrested and charged for possession of dagga.
“Police cannot rule out the possibility of adding another charge of dealing in dagga as the investigation proceeds.
The team of police experts also discovered that the man is originally from the Kingdom of Eswatini and SAPS is working in collaboration with the department of Home Affairs to determine his status in the country hence an additional charge of contravention of the Immigration Act may be laid against him.
“The suspect will have his day in court to answer on the charges levelled against him” said the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela.
The man is expected to appear before the Kriel Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 21 February 2022.
Meanwhile on Friday morning, 18 February 2022 around 06h00 am members from Piet Retief were busy with their policing duties when they spotted a suspicious grey Mazda SUV with one occupant.
Upon searching the said vehicle, five bags stashed with dagga were uncovered at the back of the car.
The man (aged 30) was then arrested and charged for dealing in dagga.
The estimated street value of the dagga is about R110 000.
The vehicle was also confiscated for further probe.
Police believe that the car was used in the commission of crime.
Preliminary investigation suggests that the vehicle belongs to a certain rental company.
The suspect will have his first appearance in the Piet Retief Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 21 February 2022 facing the said charges.
Lieutenant General Manamela has further acknowledged with appreciation the part played by members of the public as they provided valuable information and police’s vigilance and swift response, which all culminated into the commendable outcome.
