Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Jackie Macie, joined Mpumalanga Acting Provincial Commissioner. Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi on Sunday for a walk-through of the dismantled R350 million meth lab at Dambas farm in Volksrust. The site had been raided on Friday as part of Operation Shanela 2.
Five suspects, four Mexican nationals and a South African caretaker, were arrested during Friday’s raid. Two others, a Nigerian and a Malawian, escaped on foot. Police have since launched a 72-hour operation to track them down.
METH LAB WALK-THROUGH
Mkhwanazi and his team visited the farm and briefed Macie on how the illegal operation had been running before police shut it down.
“This breakthrough was made possible by a vigilant community member who raised the alarm. It shows the power of strong community-police partnerships,” Macie said.
RESIDENTS’TIP-OFF SPARKS RAID
The bust followed concerns raised at the Premier’s Imbizo in Volksrust on 29 August, when residents flagged suspicious activities. Acting on those reports, police moved in and uncovered the meth lab.
“This success demonstrates that intelligence-driven policing and community cooperation are delivering results,” Mkhwanazi said during the Sunday visit.
TWO SUSPECTS STILL ON THE RUN
The matter has handed over to the Hawks for further investigation. The arrested foreign nationals face charges under the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act and the ImmigrationAct, while the caretaker could be charged for possession of ammunition. All suspects are expected to appear in court soon.
