Mbombela (Formerly Nelspruit) – Three Mpumalanga policemen arrested for allegedly assisting two contraband traffickers to evade the law by escorting their car laden with 107 bags of dagga have been released on bail of R1 500 each.
Allegations are that the police officers were paid to provide safe passage for the dagga traffickers, but were caught allegedly in the act by other law enforcers who had been tipped off about the anomaly.
All three officers, in a marked police car, were arrested along the N4 in Matsulu, near Mbombela on Tuesday, (10 June 2025).
The two smugglers – one of them a female – were also arrested and their contraband seized.
The arrested police officers, 49-year-old Sergeant Solomon Mebo, 43-year-old Sergeant Jabulane Mbuyane, and 32-year-old Constable Lavandre LaRaservee appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, (12 June 2025).
The police officers, attached to the White River Flying Squad unit, face charges of defeating the ends of Justice.
The three cops will return to court on 25 July 2025.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane said: “Internal disciplinary actions will be instituted against these members.”
In court, the dagga smugglers who were intercepted and arrested while travelling in a white Toyota Corolla were identified as 44-year-old Joel Mamba and 34-year-old Monica Zwane.
The pair, who face a charge of dealing in dagga, were remanded in custody.
The pair of dagga traffickers will again appear in court next week on Tuesday, (17 June 2025).
