Police arrested four suspects at the Middelburg Plaza in Mpumalanga on Thursday, 17 July 2025, after two of the suspects were allegedly found with dagga estimated to be valued at R1.8 million.
The two other suspects were arrested for allegedly trying to bribe police.
A multi-disciplinary team consisting of South African Police Service (SAPS) members from Middelburg Flying Squad, Middelburg K9 Unit and Provincial Counter-Intelligence received information about two Toyota GD-6 Double Cab bakkies believed to be transporting dagga and immediately made their way to the scene.
ARREST AND SEIZURE OF DAGGA IN MPUMALANGA
According to a report by the police, one bakkie was intercepted and found with 15 bags starched with dagga and two suspects.
While members were arresting the suspects, two foreign nationals approached them.
They allegedly tried to bribe the police with R13 000 in exchange for releasing the two suspects arrested and the dagga.
However, the police apprehended the foreign nationals and charged them with bribery.
Acting Mpumalanga SAPS commissioner, Major-General Zeph Mkhwanazi, commended the police for being able to resist the bribery offered to them.
“Though members were offered cash to look away, they remained committed to the SAPS Code of Conduct. This is the calibre of members that gives us joy as they are determined to root out criminal activities,” Mkhwanazi said.
TWO SENIORS MAKE THEIR COURT APPEARANCE FOR DEALING IN COUNTERFEIT CIGARETTES
Two senior citizens, Suliman Ismail Molla, 67, and Fathima Essop Molla, 62, who are the directors of a Wholesale store, appeared before the Evander Regional Court on Thursday, 17 July 2025, for dealing in counterfeit cigarettes.
The police seized 4710 packets of illicit cigarettes valued at R107 700 at their store.
The seizure, which occurred in September 2024, resulted in one suspect being arrested at the time.
All three suspects were released on warning and are expected to appear before the same court on Tuesday, 29 July 2025.
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