By Lwazi Raul- Shongwe Kopano Dibakwane
Large bags of dagga were confiscated and five alleged dealers were arrested when various law enforcement agencies, led by Mpumalanga DCSSL(Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison), descended on Kabokweni during the School Safety Programme on Tuesday 25 February 2025.
The five suspects reportedly include four males and one female.
According to DCSSL spokesperson, Moeti Mmusi said, random searches were conducted at Phatfwa and Hlanganani Secondary Schools(in Mbonisweni and Dwaleni, respectively). Mmusi said the random searches in schools form part of several government programmes aimed at ensuring a safe environment for learners across Mpumalanga.
“ During the random searches, learners from Phatfwa Secondary School were found with dagga in their school bags and they led the team to four different houses and a spaza shop which they confessed belonged to those who supplied them with the dagga. Bags of dagga were found hidden in the houses and the spaza shop where they were then confiscated by the police,” said Mmusi.
The team of law enforcement agencies included DCSSL, Department of Correctional Service(EST Unit), South African Police Service(SAPS) and Mbombela Law Enforcement, members of the Community Policing Forum(CPF), as well as Crime Prevention Wardens.
Similar searches were also conducted at two secondary schools (Madondo and Chayaza located in Calcutta-Bushbuckridge Local Municipality), which also resulted in two female suspects being arrested after they were pointed out by some of the learners found in possession of dagga.
