Five people, including three police officers, were arrested after more than 100 bags of marijuana were confiscated along the N4 Toll Road yesterday afternoon, June 10.

“The three police officers, aged between 32 and 49, were apprehended while they were allegedly escorting a vehicle trafficking 107 bags of dagga along the N4 near the Matsulu T-junction. They were intercepted at about 15:00,” said the Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane. The officers were attached to the White River Flying Squad.

According to a report, the officers were on duty, in full uniform and travelling in a marked police vehicle.
Ndubane said the Matsulu SAPS had received tip-off concerning the suspicious activity.

Members of the Matsulu SAPS responded accordingly and cornered the suspects. The three policemen are facing charges relating to corrupt activities they were allegedly involved in. They are also facing a charge of defeating the ends of justice. Other related charges could be added as the investigation continues,” she said.

The other two suspects, a man and a woman, were travelling in the Corolla carrying the cannabis. They were also arrested and face separate charges of dealing in dagga.

Ndubane said the confiscated dagga is estimated to be worth millions of rands, and that more charges may be added against the suspects.

The five are expected to appear in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, June 12.

In the meantime, internal disciplinary action will be instituted against the three officers.

The acting provincial police commissioner, Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, emphasised that no one is above the law.

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“If a member of the SAPS is found to have been on the wrong side of the law, regardless of his status, the law will have to take its course without any fear or favour,” said Mkhwanazi.

This is not the first time members of the White River Flying Squad have been implicated in criminal activity along the N4.

In August 2023, a group of officers from the same unit were arrested after they were found in possession of high-calibre firearms believed to have been used in a cash-in-transit heist along the Malalane/Jeppes Reef Road a few days earlier.
Their matter is still in court.