Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Pat Ngomane has demanded the urgent arrest of drug peddling suspect in whose vehicle traffic officers discovered drugs worth millions of rands yesterday, 21 August 2018 in Nkomazi.
It is reported that the traffic officers stopped the drug peddler who was driving from Mozambique into the country. The officers searched the vehicle and while they were still doing their routine work of verifying the vehicle’s roadworthiness among others, they took the suspect’s driving licence and when they opened the bonnet compartment of the vehicle, the suspect fled the scene.
At the time the officers made a startling discovery of drugs worth an estimated street value of R3, 3 million stashed in the bonnet compartments. The matter was brought to the attention of the police and the investigations are underway.
He has urged the police to urgently arrest the suspect so that he faces the consequences of his actions. Ngomane insisted that the arrest should be swift because the police are in possession of the documents belonging to the suspect and he is known to some people in the area.
The MEC has further appealed on the agencies at ports of entry and borderlines to do their work with utmost diligence so that illicit goods and undocumented citizens do not find their way into the country. He further added that drug dealers should be rooted out because they destroy many people’s lives.
Ngomane added: “The immediate prosecuting of these suspects especially drug dealers will make communities to have faith in law enforcement agencies. Members of the public who may have information should come forward and assist the police to put the suspect behind bars.”
According MEC Ngomane, the duties of the traffic officers include ensuring that road users comply with traffic rules and regulations and to bring to book those who do not comply. They also facilitate safe transportation of goods and passengers and ensure that motorists are fit to be on the road. He added that it is highly encouraging when they also stop drugs from being transported into the country.
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Enquiries: Joseph Mabuza
Issued by Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison
Tel: 013 766 1575
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E-mail: emabuza@mpg.gov.za