Hlanganani: Two male suspects, aged 30 and 31, appeared before the Tiyani Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 24 January 2025, facing charges of dealing in illicit cigarettes and dagga.
According to South African Police Service, the Police in Hlanganani, together with the Mopani District Tracing Team, apprehended the two male suspects separately on Thursday, 23 January 2025, in the afternoon at Nkuzani and Tiyani villages, under the Hlanganani policing area in Mopani District. The arrests were the result of an intelligence-driven operation initiated after officers received information about the suspects.
In Nkuzani village, police recovered dagga in a black plastic bag, with an estimated value of around R1,600. Meanwhile, in Tiyani village, authorities seized 71 cartons of illicit cigarettes, estimated to be worth R11,700. The suspects, aged 30 and 31, were detained, and further legal proceedings are underway.
A 30-year-old man, arrested for dealing in dagga, paid a fine of R500 admission of guilt and was subsequently released by the court. However, a foreign national male, Chakedo Manegistulaye, aged 36, was remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear again on 29 January 2025, pending the availability of a language interpreter. Another suspect is set to appear on 27 January 2025 in the local Magistrate’s Court. The police investigation is ongoing.