Latest news with #R3m
The Citizen
18 hours ago
- The Citizen
Dagga trafficking on the rise in the Lowveld
Over the past six months, the Lowveld has seen a staggering number of dagga trafficking cases reported by the SAPS and local security companies. Locals, immigrants, and even police officers have been implicated, including members of the SAPS Flying Squad, prompting the public to question the integrity of law enforcement. ALSO READ: Three cops among five arrested in drug bust on N4 Three officers – Sergeant Jabulane Mbuyane, Sergeant Solomon Mebo, and Constable Lavandre LaReservee – were arrested on June 10 for allegedly escorting a Toyota Corolla transporting 107 bags of dagga along the N4 near the Matsulu T-junction. They appeared in court on June 12 and were each granted bail of R1 500. Their next appearance is scheduled for July 25. Two additional suspects, Joel Mamba (44) and Monica Zwane (34), are facing separate charges of dealing in dagga. Their bail application was heard on June 18. ALSO READ: UPDATE: Man and woman granted bail for N4 dagga bust Commenting on the arrest of SAPS members, the acting provincial police commissioner, Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, stated: 'No one is above the law. If any member is found to be on the wrong side of the law, they will face the consequences – without fear or favour.' On Friday, members of the Tonga Task Team under the Ehlanzeni District Police recovered 24 compressed bags of dagga during a high-speed chase in the Sibange area. The suspect fled on foot into nearby bushes after abandoning a grey VW Polo. ALSO READ: Two men arrested for possession of dagga of more than R4.7m In a separate bust on June 10, two suspects were found transporting 660kg of dagga from eSwatini to Zimbabwe, concealed in 19 compressed bales with a street value of over R3m. This operation was led by ACS Security, in support of the BACSA E2 Mpumalanga Operational team. One eSwatini national was arrested, while the second suspect was later apprehended in Limpopo. On April 14, a Barberton Agri farmer reported suspicious activity on the outskirts of his farm near the Kaapsehoop Road. Responding officers from Hi-Tech Security found no suspects on scene, but recovered 800kg of dagga. Earlier this year, on January 28, during routine patrols, the White River Flying Squad intercepted two suspects in a white Toyota Quantum on the R538 near KMI Airport, discovering 50 compressed bags of dagga weighing approximately 1 020kg. ALSO READ: Two men arrested in Barberton for dealing in dagga On January 14, the police recovered 10 bags of dagga weighing about 270kg during a stop-and-search operation near Sheba Siding, Barberton. Officers had pulled over a white Isuzu bakkie travelling from Low's Creek. Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, spokesperson of the Mpumalanga police, said: 'We are concerned about the increased number of individuals dealing in dagga, particularly within the province. However, with continued efforts such as Operation Shanela 2, we are able to intercept traffickers. Stations where dagga was seized include Tonga, Wakkerstroom, Mayflower, and the Mahamba Border Post. Most of the dagga appears to originate from eSwatini. We are continuing our efforts and aim to dismantle these syndicates.' These are just a few of the many cases currently under investigation. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
The Citizen
07-06-2025
- The Citizen
Limpopo police bust R3m cross-border smuggling ring bound for Malawi
Limpopo police have dismantled a sophisticated cross-border smuggling syndicate operating between South Africa and Malawi, recovering stolen goods worth more than R3m. Polokwane Review reports that the breakthrough came in the early hours of Thursday morning when the Limpopo Anti-Smuggling Task Team, assisted by Tshimollo Security and Investigation and Shadow Secure Technology, intercepted a Scania truck pulling superlink trailers near the Polokwane weighbridge. The vehicle was travelling from Cape Town to Malawi via the Beitbridge Border Post. Following an 18-hour joint operation, officers recovered: Chopped parts of a Ford Ranger reported stolen in Nyanga, including the engine, dashboard, radiator, differential and steering wheel 60 disassembled motorcycles concealed in drums and containers, reported stolen at various Western Cape police stations, including Bellville, Mfuleni, Muizenberg, Nyanga, Milnerton, Sea Point and Athlone Stolen electronics, including plasma TVs, sound systems, solar tower batteries and cellphones Scania truck and trailers used in the smuggling operation. Four men, all foreign nationals aged between 37 and 50, were arrested and are expected to appear in the Polokwane Magistrate's Court on Monday on charges of possession of suspected stolen goods. Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe praised the arrests. 'This breakthrough represents a major victory against sophisticated criminal networks exploiting our borders. The collaboration between our task team and private partners shows the power of co-ordinated enforcement. We will continue to target these syndicates until they are dismantled completely.' Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
06-06-2025
- The Citizen
Sophisticated smuggling network busted near Polokwane weighbridge
POLOKWANE – Limpopo police have dismantled one of the most sophisticated cross-border smuggling syndicates operating between South Africa and Malawi, recovering stolen goods worth more than R3m. The breakthrough came in the early hours of Thursday morning (June 5) when the Limpopo Anti-Smuggling Task Team, assisted by Tshimollo Security and Investigation and Shadow Secure Technology, intercepted a Scania truck pulling superlink trailers near the Polokwane weighbridge. The vehicle was travelling from Cape Town to Malawi via the Beitbridge Border Post. Following an 18-hour joint operation, officers recovered: Chopped parts of a Ford Ranger reported stolen in Nyanga, including the engine, dashboard, radiator, differential, and steering wheel. 60 disassembled motorcycles concealed in drums and containers, reported stolen from multiple Western Cape police stations including Bellville, Mfuleni, Muizenberg, Nyanga, Milnerton, Sea Point and Athlone. Stolen electronics, including plasma TVs, sound systems, solar tower batteries, and mobile phones. The Scania truck and trailers used in the smuggling operation. Four male suspects, all foreign nationals aged between 37 and 50, were arrested and are expected to appear before the Polokwane Magistrate's Court on Monday (June 9) on charges of possession of suspected stolen goods. The provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, praised the operation: 'This breakthrough represents a major victory against sophisticated criminal networks exploiting our borders. The collaboration between our task team and private partners shows the power of coordinated enforcement. We will continue to target these syndicates until they are dismantled completely.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
02-06-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Randpark Ridge family puts on a fight against skin cancer
Randpark Ridge resident Jenna Robinson (44) shed light on her ongoing battle with cancer, mounting medical bills, and medical aid issues. Read more: Early screenings key to beating colorectal cancer Robinson was recently diagnosed with metastatic melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer. She explained that melanoma starts with a mole anywhere on the body, which she had when she was 27. 'I had two moles on my leg. They removed them. I was sent home completely uneducated to the fact that once that melanoma is there, in your body, it's going to go to your lymphatic system and spread.' 17 years later she was told that she has cancer. 'If I was told, when I had a small mole removed, to go for checkups every six months, this wouldn't have spiralled. But the dermatologist never told me anything of the sort.' Robinson advises people to take it seriously, if they pick up something on their skin. 'Take it very seriously. They never mentioned that it was cancerous or something. They removed it, and they said it's fine, and there was nothing wrong with me. If the mole has been in your body, it changes the gene in your DNA. That gene took this long to activate, to come alive. 'Once you have that mole, it is going to go to your lymphatic system, 100%. Whether it's going to take one year, or, like me, 17 years. It's going to get you. The sooner you stop it, the better.' Robinson developed a lump on her leg, which grew bigger, until she went to surgery. It took her three months to recover. 'It was Christmas. I was busy. I had other family issues. Soon, this thing was the size of a tennis ball.' Also read: Netcare Olivedale Hospital holds Cancer Awareness Day She had many complications following the operation, ending up in high care with sepsis, on a machine for 17 days. Robinson is currently on treatment that costs around R3m, and the medical aid does not cover all their medical bills. Her husband, Robert, said that anything to do with cancer, is very expensive. 'I was angry. You think: Why is it so expensive. Maybe for my kids' grandchildren, cancer treatment will be more affordable. But right now, it's not.' At the moment, they've put Robinson on what is called: targeted therapy. She'll have that until the end of the year, until she can possibly go into immunotherapy. 'The targeted therapy costs R58 000 a month,' said Robert. 'The government hospitals in South Africa do not cover this form of cancer. She is swallowing a R2 000 tablet a day. Who can afford that? Our medical aid is covering it, for now, but it's not a solution. It's temporary. It's palliative care. I've got two young children. We want a solution.' Robinson urges residents to carefully check their medical aid. 'If you're in a financial position, make sure you have cover. Get the best medical aid you can and extra policies.' The family recently held their first karaoke event in Bromhof to raise funds for Robinson's treatment expenses, which are going to keep on going up. Robert confirmed that they had about a hundred and fifty people through. 'It was a really good response to the event. It gave us quite a good outreach to various different parties and people. We will continue to push the fundraisers and definitely try and do more in the future.' The family has also opened a BackaBuddy campaign. For anyone who is willing to donate, the link is: For more information contact Robert on robbie@ or 0825212360. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! Related article: Spreading 'paws-itivity' for patients living with cancer at Netcare Olivedale Hospital At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
