BARBERTON – On April 12, 2020, members of the Josefsdal Police Station stopped and searched a vehicle with three occupants, driving from eSwatini to South Africa.
Upon searching the vehicle, dagga with a street value of R12 000 was found and the passengers admitted that the dagga belonged to them. They were arrested and taken to the Barberton Police Station where they were later released on bail.
The matter was transferred to the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit for further probing. During the investigation, it was established that the vehicle belonged to Const Bhekumuzi Evans Dlamini (27) stationed at Barberton SAPS; it transpired he was the driver on the day in question.
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The investigation also revealed the two suspects were allegedly hired by the police constable to smuggle dagga from eSwatini to South Africa. The investigation linked him with the crime scene and he was summoned to court. The accused was arrested and appeared in Barberton Magistrate’s Court on December 9, where he was released on R1 000 bail and the case was postponed for the other two accused to join.
Dlamini and one of the suspects, Sizwe Mkhonza (29), appeared in court, but Masina evaded. A warrant of arrest was issued against him while the case was postponed for further investigation. Anyone with information that may assist locating Masina is requested to contact the investigating officer, Det Capt Livhuwani Dzaudzau on 071-481-3267.