Police arrested four people during two separate operations in the Wakkerstroom policing precinct on July 7.

In the first incident, at about 23:00, members of the Wakkerstroom SAPS Crime Prevention Unit, conducting routine patrols and stop-and-search operations along the R543, tried to stop a silver-grey Volkswagen Polo hatchback bearing North West registration plates.

The driver failed to comply with police instructions and sped off, leaving the main road for a gravel road. Police pursued the vehicle until it was abandoned by the occupants, who fled on foot.

Following a foot chase, police arrested Mthunzi Nhleko (36) and Mpumelelo Vuyisile Malaza (38), while two other suspects evaded arrest.

A search of the abandoned vehicle led to the discovery of three plastic bags containing dagga.

Nhleko and Malaza appeared before the Volksrust Magistrate’s Court the following day, and the matter was postponed to July 22. They remain in custody.

In a separate operation conducted earlier the same day, between 12:00 and 16:00, members of Mahamba SAPS conducted an operation on the N2 aimed at enhancing crime detection and public safety.

They stopped and searched two Toyota Avanza vehicles transporting passengers.

During the operation, all passengers and their luggage were searched, leading to the arrest of Bhekisa Justice Nkosi (35), of Pongola, who was travelling to Newcastle, and Mdumiseni Promise Lukhele (46), a foreign national travelling from the Kingdom of Eswatini to Kriel.

Police seized dagga during the operation.

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Nkosi and Lukhele were both charged with dealing in dagga, while Lukhele also faces an additional charge of being an illegal immigrant.

The two appeared before the Volksrust Magistrate’s Court on July 8, and the case was postponed to July 22. They remain in custody.

Combined, the two operations resulted in the seizure of 28.526kg of dagga with an estimated street value of R175 000.

The Acting Provincial Commissioner of SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, commended the members for their vigilance and dedication.

He reaffirmed SAPS’ commitment to intensifying operations aimed at dismantling drug trafficking networks and ensuring offenders are brought to justice.

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