News: SAPS Police Destroy Drugs Worth R90 Million in Cape Town

South African Police Service News: SAPS Police Destroy Drugs Worth R90 Million in Cape Town

CAPE TOWN – In a significant move to combat drug-related crimes, General Fannie Masemola, the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), oversaw the destruction of drugs valued at R90 million in Cape Town today.

These drugs, including tik, cocaine, and mandrax, were confiscated during police operations in the Western and Eastern Cape, specifically at roadblocks and tracing operations.

This marks the fourth drug destruction process in the current financial year. The most recent destruction, totaling R800 million, occurred in Gauteng in October 2023. In the ongoing financial year, close to a billion rand worth of drugs has already been destroyed. In the 2022/2023 financial year, 6 tons of drugs valued at R2 billion were destroyed.

The drugs destroyed today originated from various drug busts, including:

• In Vredenburg, police operationalized information leading to the seizure of a truck loaded with R10 million worth of mandrax tablets. Four suspects were arrested, with one, Hosia Mbuluheni Mathono, sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.
• In Beaufort West, Mandrax worth R2.5 million was seized, resulting in the accused being convicted and sentenced to 12 years imprisonment.
• Another case in Beaufort West involved the seizure of R18 million worth of Tik, leading to a 15-year imprisonment sentence for the accused.
• In Swellendam, R4.5 million worth of Mandrax tablets were seized, and the accused persons received a 5-year imprisonment sentence.

General Fannie Masemola highlighted the success of the police in intercepting drugs across the country. In the past three months alone, police have seized cocaine worth R200 million in various drug busts at ports of entry.

The drug destruction underscores the relentless efforts of the men and women in blue to eliminate drugs that harm lives and livelihoods, according to General Masemola. Importantly, this drug destruction process is a routine undertaking by SAPS, with identified drugs being destroyed based on court orders, signifying the conclusion of related cases.

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