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South African Infantry Battalion confiscated drugs on Border Safeguarding Duties at Operation CORONA Mpumalanga Province

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A Busy Weekend for 15 South African Infantry Battalion on Border Safeguarding Duties at Operation CORONA Mpumalanga Province.

Border safeguarding is the priority of the South African National Defence Force as mandated by Act 108 of 1996 (The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa) and the Defence Act of 2002 to secure and protect the territorial integrity of the Republic, defend it against aggression, promote security and support the people of South Africa.
15 South African Infantry Battalion clearly understands the mandate and has evidence to support their excellent job while executing their border safeguarding duties at the OPERATION CORONA Joint Tactical Head Quarters Mpumalanga Charlie Company area of operations as they have nabbed a number of suspicious people and confiscated all illegal goods they were carrying.

On Saturday 18 March 2023 at approximately 09h00 in the morning while at Monzana Area of Operations, Mpumalanga province the SA National Defence Force soldiers confronted 2 x males from Eswatini crossing the International border while carrying sack bags. Upon sight of the Republic of South Africa soldiers, the suspects dropped their bags and fled back to the Kingdom of Eswatini territory. The 5 x sack bags were carrying dagga inside. The Military Police were activated and handed over the dagga to the South African Police Service Mahamba. The dagga weighed 59.9kg with an estimated value of R 251 580.00.

It was not the end as at 18h45 at Emahlathini, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga province the SA National Defence Force soldiers successfully apprehended a male who was illegally crossing the International Border from the Kingdom of Eswatini to the Republic of South Africa in possession of a bag carrying 10 x rolls of dagga that he was attempting to illegally smuggle to the Republic of South Africa. The man and the dagga were handed over to Piet Retief Port of Entry SA Police Service for further police investigation and procedures to take the course. According to the police investigation the dagga weighed 4.294kg and had a worth value of R 18 034.80.

Nearly 15 minutes later on at around 19h00 of the same Saturday while conducting an area domination mobile operation at Mahlathini the Charlie Company soldiers confronted 2 x males, who were crossing from Eswatini to the Republic of South Africa. The suspects were searched and found to be in possession of 3 x rolls of dagga collectively and they were taken to SA Police Service Piet Retief Port of Entry where confirmation was made by SA Police Service that the dagga weighed 3.776kg to the value of R 15 859.20.

The Platoon continued to dominate the area at approximately 22h00 and spotted a vehicle making a U-turn on their patrol route and pursued the chase. A suspicious white Volkswagen Amarok Bakkie that was suspected to have been stolen was forced to a halt, searched and discovered to have been carrying 33 x plastic bags of Dagga at the moment of searching. According to SA Police Service Piet Retief, the Dagga weighed 97.6kg and was valued at R 409 920.00. The suspects were apprehended and detained. The dagga was handed to SA Police Service Piet Retief while the vehicle was also impounded for further circulation results.

The section further on discovered 09 x abandoned wrapped bags later discovered along the Republic of South Africa/Eswatini Border fence at Emahlathini 1 to be carrying dagga. The bags were taken and handed over to Emahlathini Port of Entry SA Police Service. The 09 x bags weighed a total of 334.8kg and were worth an estimated value of R1 406 160.00

Estimated 18 March 2022 Success Grand Total Value:
• 1 x White Volkswagen Amarok impounded for investigation.
• 1 x male Undocumented person (Eswatini) arrested.
• 3 x male Republic of South Africa citizens were arrested.
• 500.07kg dagga estimated value of R2 101 554.00.

The hard work and determination of the South African National Defence Force are aimed at maintaining the sovereignty of the Republic and the safety and protection of its citizens.

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