This zero-tolerance policy was evidenced by a major dagga bust in Fisantekraal, Western Cape over the weekend.
On Saturday, 9 August, Metro Police officers arrested a suspect after seizing more than four kilograms of dagga (marijuana) from a private residence.
Officers acted on a tip-off and were granted permission to search the premises, where they discovered a black bag containing 3.39 kilograms of dagga, a 221-gram parcel, 92 “bankies,” 93 dagga cigarettes, and an undisclosed amount of cash.
The homeowner was arrested on charges of dealing in dagga.
Metro police strike hard
This arrest was part of a broader crackdown: the City of Cape Town’s enforcement services made 241 arrests and issued over 62 000 fines for traffic and by-law violations in the past week alone.
Metro Police accounted for 42 of those arrests and issued 2 129 fines.
“The devastating impact of drugs on our communities continues long after we’ve taken the dealers off the streets,” said Mayco Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
“Not only are families destroyed, but drugs fuel many other crimes and illicit dealings.”
Cannabis laws in South Africa: Using vs. Dealing
South Africa’s cannabis laws have evolved significantly since the Constitutional Court’s landmark 2018 ruling, which legalised the private use and cultivation of cannabis for adults.
The Cannabis for Private Purposes Act, passed in 2024, formalised this right – allowing individuals to possess and consume cannabis in a personal capacity.
However, selling, buying, or distributing cannabis remains illegal.
An example of a grey area
Earlier this year, The South African reported on a beloved nursery in Cape Town that was selling cannabis plants to the public.
This story highlighted a “loophole” in the legislation, as the Act does not explicitly ban the sale of cannabis seeds or seedlings.
Medicinal marijuana meanwhile was legalised in South Africa in 2017. To that end, the nursery’s offering addressed a range of ailments.
In March the South African government did a quick U-turn on banning the sale, importation and manufacture of food products containing hemp and cannabis.
Local laws claim to draw a firm line between personal use and commercial activity. Anyone caught dealing – especially with large quantities or packaged products – faces criminal charges, fines, and potential imprisonment.
This latest bust is a reminder that while private use is protected, authorities maintain a zero tolerance approach to cannabis dealing, viewing it as a gateway to broader criminal networks and social harm.
“Despite arrests, the suspects are often back on the street a few days later, to continue their criminal dealings,” Smith added.
Is this latest dagga bust a worthwhile use of City resources?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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