MOKOPANE – Dagga to the value of R10 000 was confiscated last Friday morning on grounds rented by the Department of Agriculture.
The dagga was confiscated by the Mokopane police officers and reaction officers of Special Operation Solutions (SOS).
According to Martin van Eck, reaction-officer manager, they followed up on a lead and after a thorough investigation called the Mokopane police to escort them in confiscating the dagga and to open an investigation into the matter.
Bosveld was invited to join SOS and the police on their site inspection to the department and within minutes of arrival the reaction-officers and police were pulling out large amounts of dagga from the backyard.
Next to the dagga were rows of maize planted by one of the general workers of the department and upon questioning by WO William Rider Mohale the employee acknowledged that he planted the maize but said he had no idea what a dagga plant looks like and thought nothing more of the plants except that it was weeds.
WO Mohale gave the employee a very stern warning.
Melida Makwaala, agricultural manager, told Bosveld on Monday morning: “When I heard about the situation, I immediately investigated the matter and I can honestly say the dagga was not planted by one of the officials. The part of the property where the dagga was planted does not even belong to the department as we only rent the two buildings on the property. The owner lives in Polokwane, and it is his responsibility to clean the backyard.”
On the remark that rows of maize were planted next to the dagga, she commented on the matter by saying: “The general employee who planted the maize told me he was not aware of what a dagga plant looks like.
“I have contacted weed-control to come and spray chemicals to make sure the dagga does not re-grow.”
Van Eck said he estimates they confiscated dagga to the value of between R10 000 to R15 000.
After confiscating the dagga, reaction-officers Van Eck, Juan Cook, Quinten Pretorius and Willie Harmse, along with WO Mohale and WO Justice Molekwa burnt it.
“It is very important for us to clean Mokopane’s streets from drugs and if anyone has any information with this regard, they can contact SOS at (015) 409 7062,” Van Eck said.
Mokopane police station commander, Patrick Makhubele said: “We are very grateful for the help of SOS and I appeal to the community to help rid our beloved town from drugs and criminals.”
