Following the cavalcade were many bakkies and small trucks with local people from the Bela-Bela Township, cheering and singing.
The word soon spread that the men dressed in black uniforms, with bulletproof vests and armed to the teeth, was a privately funded squad, named the Ratanda Crime Prevention Unit, and assisting the community with curbing drug dealing in Bela-Bela.
Die Pos was on the scene and had the privilege to speak to the commander of this anti-drug unit, Xolani Khumalo on their operation in Bela-Bela Township.
Xolani told Die Pos that they managed to capture a kingpin in the local drug trade (supplier) and arrested seven local people on alleged drug dealing and possession of illegal substances. He said that they managed to seize a large quantity of drugs to the value of approximately R75 000 and an undisclosed amount of cash which could be the proceeds of illegal drug trade. He mentioned that the local police officers were not involved in the operation.
The fifteen well-toned members of the squad made their presence felt. Their no-nonsense attitude was tangible. By this time a large crowd (more than 300 people) had gathered at the entrance to the police station, they were singing and cheering Xolani Khumalo and his squad. Many came forward and told Die Pos how thankful they are for this drug bust as they are running a losing battle to safeguard their children against drugs.
Die Pos has a video where the alleged drug dealer was escorted into the police station and for SAPS to make an official arrest.
Zolani told the crowd that although he is no longer the presenter of a popular TV show, MojaLove which was aired on DSTV channel 157, he stays committed to his battle to take drugs off our community streets.
Zolani also had a run-in with the law in 2023. The Sunday Times of September 19, reported that an alleged drug dealer, Robert “Kicks” Varrie of Johannesburg died in an anti-drug operation under the leadership of Xolani Khumalo. He handed himself over to the police in Randburg and bail was granted for the investigation into this allegation to be completed.
The Khumalo Foundation and other organisations including the South African National Taxi Council (SANTAGO) handed over a memorandum to Lt-Col Duncan Scott, regarding the amendment of the Criminal Procedure Act, to allow any private person to arrest a suspect without a warrant.
While the battle with the government is ongoing over amendments and the high crime statistics, the local citizens mostly parents of Bela-Bela, are elated that there is a step forward in a drug-free community.
Die Pos’s journalist paid a visit to the local police station on Tuesday, 12 March and spoke to Col Annemarie Smith regarding the arrest. Smith told her that the dockets were handed over to a unit in Polokwane for further investigation and the Bela-Bela Police can thus not comment at this stage. She did however say that three of the suspects will soon appear in the Bela-Bela Magistrate Court.
