The Middelburg High Court has granted a R178.6m asset preservation order against a clandestine Mandrax manufacturing network operating in Standerton, reports Mpumalanga News. 

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Monica Nyuswa confirmed the order was granted on Monday (September 28) under Section 38 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998 (POCA), following a multi-agency investigation led by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit. 

Raids expose 3 drug operations 

Nyuswa said the investigation focused on three interconnected locations across Standerton that were raided in April 2025: 

• 21 Factory Street: A raid uncovered industrial drums, chemical supplies, and manufacturing machinery. Four Mozambican nationals were arrested on-site. 
• Rooikoppen Farm: Situated roughly 5km outside Standerton. Investigators uncovered a fully operational Mandrax lab equipped with industrial tanks, ovens, sieves and protective gear. Two additional Mozambican nationals were taken into custody. 
• 18 Mahonie Street, Flora Park: Search warrants led to the discovery of tablet-pressing equipment, raw chemical powder and a pressed Mandrax tablet stamped with the ‘BOSS’ emblem. Three South African suspects were arrested. 

Forensic tests confirm methaqualone 

Nyuswa said the SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory analysis confirmed the presence of methaqualone and its precursor chemical, ortho-toluidine, at Factory Street and the farm location. 

At the Flora Park residence, forensic experts verified that 544.43kg of seized finished product contained methaqualone. The street value of the recovered drugs was estimated at R178.6m. 

Law enforcement officers also recovered R3.1m in cash hidden inside the boot of a Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG parked at the Flora Park property.  

Nyuswa said the funds have since been deposited into a SAPS suspense account. 

Breakdown of preserved assets 

The court order safeguards the following assets pending final forfeiture proceedings: 

• Immovable property: Three properties (Rooikoppen Farm and two residential properties) 
• Vehicles: 12 vehicles, including a Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, Range Rover Sport, BMW X5, three BMW sedans, two VW Golf GTIs, Toyota Hilux, Isuzu truck, Toyota Dyna truck and a Venter trailer 
• Liquid cash: R3.1m in recovered banknotes 
• Industrial equipment : Tablet presses, industrial chemical tanks, ovens, sieves and scales 

Court status and next steps 

Nyuswa emphasised that a preservation order is an interim civil remedy designed to lock down instrumentalities and proceeds of crime. 

“It does not signify a formal criminal finding of guilt,” she said. “Chapter 6 forfeiture proceedings under POCA are civil matters evaluated on a balance of probabilities, independent of criminal trial outcomes.” 

She said two criminal court matters linked to the syndicate remain pending at the Standerton Regional Court. Police confirmed that one accused person absconded after being granted R100 000 bail. The bail bond has since been forfeited to the state, while another accused has died. 

Mpumalanga News has requested the names of the accused, the status of the court cases, and an update on the absconded suspect, which will be published once available. 

Previous incidents 

Last year, the Ridge Times reported that two drug labs were discovered in Standerton in April, one in Mahonie Street and another on Rooikoppen farm. A warehouse containing chemicals believed to be used in the manufacturing of drugs was also found.  
 
A month later, in May, an underground laboratory was discovered beneath the Rooikoppen farm crime scene. 

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