17.04.2025
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Drug case against Mozambique nationals postponed

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  • [FILE] Police seized crystal meth valued at R50 million

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The Standerton Magistrate’s Court in Mpumalanga has postponed the case against six Mozambique nationals accused of manufacturing and dealing in illicit drugs. The matter has been adjourned until Friday to verify the age of one of the accused and to secure the services of an interpreter.

The suspects were arrested at a warehouse and a farm in the area. Police seized chemicals and machinery with an estimated value of R20 million, believed to be used in the production of illegal substances.

State prosecutor Mahlatse Makopo tells the court that the state will oppose bail.

Makopo said, “As the court pleases, Your Worship, at this stage bail application is opposed by the state and we request that the matter be postponed for a formal bail application. The arrangement, I’ve already spoken to the senior interpreter, is that there was going to be a Maputo Tsangaan interpreter on the 17th of April. However, seeing that the accused persons also speak Tsonga, it could change if my colleague informs me that they would be available for bail application only on the 14th.”

The accused have not been asked to plead and remain in custody.

Mozambican nationals due in court for drugs

Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson, Magonseni Nkosi, says more arrests may follow.

“Upon the arrest of the four suspects, we were led to this farm Rooikopen farm, where there is a factory. We believe the chemicals are used to manufacture drugs, but we cannot confirm for now what kind of drugs are manufactured here. Our team from the forensic laboratory was to take the samples of the chemicals, and as time goes on, we will be able to tell. Just by looking at the machinery, you can see that it is very big. It might not be operating in Standerton alone — there might be other areas or branches,” says Nkosi.

Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Jackie Macie, welcomed the arrests and the discovery of the drug lab.

Macie says, “The issue of drugs affects our community, it affects and breaks down our families. Therefore, it is important that we deal with it decisively. It happens that the suspects are from Mozambique. It means they crossed along the borderline. Therefore, it is important that we also try to strengthen our border so that we stop these illicit goods from coming to our province.”

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