Pic: Two suspects nabbed during the drug bust
By Kopano Dibakwane
What started as a call-out to a collision on the R39 road, at the Grootdraai Dam T-Junction, near Standerton, turned into a half-million-rand drug bust, leading to two suspects aged 26 and 32 being arrested and charged for dealing in dagga on Wednesday 3 June 2026.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Captain Mpho Nonyane-Mpe, said members attached to Standerton Visible Policing responded to a reported accident involving a silver Toyota Yaris and a white VW Polo.
They reportedly arrived at the scene and found the Toyota Yaris stationary on the roadway with extensive damage to the driver’s side.
The driver was reportedly unresponsive and was transported to a local medical facility by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for treatment.
“ Police approached the VW Polo, which had come to a standstill in a nearby field. The driver informed members that he had been travelling with a passenger. During a subsequent inspection of the vehicle, Police discovered several black plastic bags containing dagga,” said Captain Nonyane-Mpe.
The driver and passenger were reportedly arrested immediately when a total of 97 kilograms of dagga, with an estimated street value of about R582 000 was discovered and seized.
“ The white VW Polo, bearing Northern Cape registration number plates, was also confiscated as part of the investigation. Neither of the suspects sustained injuries during the accident,” said Captain Nonyane-Mpe.
The Acting Provincial Police Commissioner in Mpumalanga, Major-General(Dr)Zeph Mkhwanazi, welcomed the arrest. He said the recovery of the substantial quantity of dagga and the arrest of the two suspects demonstrate the commitment by SAPS(South African Police Service) towards disrupting the illegal drug trade in the province.
“ Drug trafficking remains a serious threat to our communities, and we will continue to intensify operations aimed at identifying and apprehending those involved in such criminal activities.
“ I commend the members for their alertness and professionalism in turning what initially appeared to be a mere road accident into a significant drug seizure, ” said General Mkhwanazi.
The suspects are expected to appear at the Standerton Magistrate’s Court soon. The driver will reportedly face an additional charge of reckless and negligent driving.
