Wakkerstroom – Three men thought to be from Eswatini, who were caught with dagga worth an estimated R124 000, were remanded in custody on Wednesday by the Wakkerstroom Periodical Court in Mpumalanga.
The accused – 26-year-old Wakhile Nhleko, 32-year-old Mangaliso Sibandze, and 39-year-old Sfiso Vilakazi were arrested at the weekend in Wakkerstroom.
The trio were intercepted by police while driving a silver-grey Audi sedan. Four bags packed with dagga were allegedly found in the car.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Donald Mdhluli said: “According to information, the men and women in blue from Wakkerstroom were busy performing their patrol duties under operation High Density when they spotted a silver-grey Audi sedan with three occupants inside.
“The vehicle was then stopped by the astute members and followed by a search.
“It was during this period when four bags loaded with 31 kg of dagga were discovered inside the vehicle hence the three suspects were nabbed and charged for dealing in dagga.
“The estimated street value of the dagga is R124 000.”
Colonel Mdhluli said a probe was also underway by the Department of Home Affairs to determine the immigration status of suspects Vilakazi and Nhleko.
“Hence police cannot rule the possibility of adding a charge of contravention of the Immigration Act of South against the two as the probe continues,” Colonel Mdhluli said.
The case against the trio was postponed to next week on Wednesday pending formal bail application.
