Law enforcement conducted an intelligence-driven operation at Klipspruit, a farm in the Waaikraal region in Delmas, in the early hours of August 1.
A team comprising National Crime Intelligence, the Middelburg K9 Unit, the Middleburg Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), Ekurhuleni East Crime Intelligence, the Delmas SAPS, a member of a local security company and members of AfriForums’ Delmas Valke Neighbourhood Watch response team joined the operation.
Upon arrival on the farm, the team investigated five buildings. According to the police report, they recovered some gold-bearing materials, 16 pendukas and a crusher in four buildings.
“In the fifth building, we found a pill presser, generators, press bits, chemicals and scales. The building was allegedly used as a drug laboratory,” said Captain Carla Harley, the media spokesperson for the Delmas Police.
More success followed when they recovered a tractor-loader backhoe (TLB), reportedly stolen in Pretoria, in the area.
A Toyota Dyna truck, a Hyundai H100 bakkie and a double-cab Foton pickup police believed were used during the illicit activities were seized for further investigation.
Sixteen suspects were arrested. The Mpumalanga MEC for Community, Safety and Security, Vusi Shongwe, praised the team that steered the operation.
Shongwe said such operations should be the order of the day as part of efforts to curb crime in the province.
Shongwe also thanked the local neighbourhood watch for working with the police to expose the farm.
“We have seen the negative destruction by drugs in many communities. We cannot sit back and allow selfish people to destroy the future of our country,” Shongwe said.
The provincial commissioner of the police in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, welcomed the arrests and commended the teamwork displayed by all involved.
“Foreign nationals are welcome in the country, but we cannot accept criminality. People in the country should obey the law and distance themselves from criminal activities regardless of where they come from,” warned Manamela.
AfriForum’s Valke Neighbourhood Watch chairperson Carel Botha also commended the reaction team for their input in combating crime.
“These individuals put in their time and, at their own expense, bring their side when called on for assistance by the police and other role players. We, the community of Delmas, are grateful to every one of them.”
The 16 accused appeared before the Delmas Magistrate’s Court on August 3 on charges of manufacturing or supplying scheduled substances, possession of stolen property and contravening Section 4 of the Precious Metals Act 27 of 2005.
Among the accused are 11 Zimbabweans, three Mozambicans and two South Africans.
The accused are Vengai Ruanduc (25), Tapera Maromo (24), Raye Manimo (24), Phillip Yingwane, Sibusiso Shabangu, Tavenga Vutunga (18), Thomas Mlambe (24), Lino Chauke (23), Sipikile Mumpanele (39) Tinashe Buntu (33), Makuse Domingo (33), Uhurandi Clifford (23), Talenta Kotzina (24), John Nyakurai (33), Stanley Moninga (35) and Belivenene Mazuanya.
“The case against the accused was remanded to August 14 for the profiling of the accused. The State will oppose bail,” said Monica Nyuswa, the NPA regional spokesperson for the Director of Public Prosecutions in Mpumalanga, in a media statement released on August 3.
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