CAROLINA – Mr Thomas Maphosa (27) appeared before the Carolina Magistrate’s Court in connection with dealing in drugs on September 14.

This followed after he was arrested by members of the Hawk’s Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit in Mpumalanga along with the Crime Intelligence unit on the road from Badplaas to Barberton.

According to Capt Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi, spokesman of Hawk’s Mpumalanga, their team followed the vehicle which was transporting dagga from Swaziland border to South Africa.

“With assistance from the Badplaas police, the said vehicle was stopped on the road.

“Nine bags of compressed dagga with a street value of R158 000, was recovered from the bakkie and seized for further investigation,” she said.

She added Mr Maphosa, who was the sole occupant in the vehicle was arrested and charged for allegedly dealing in drugs.

According to Ms Monica Nyuswa, spokesman for the Regional Directors Public Prosecution, the case was postponed to 16 September for the defendant to obtain legal representation.

Read what happened during Mr Maphosa’s second court appearance in the Highvelder newspaper.