Police
By Nkosana Khumalo
Police in Tonga, Mpumalanga, intercepted a grey VW Polo after a high-speed chase on Friday, 13 June 2025, recovering compressed dagga estimated to be worth R7 million.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane confirmed that an Ehlanzeni District “Tonga Task Team” initiated a stop-and-search operation near Sibange at about 18:20. When the VW Polo failed to stop and sped off, officers pursued it for roughly 10 km before the driver abandoned the vehicle in Khombaso and fled into surrounding vegetation .
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Magnitude of the Seizure
Upon inspection, officers discovered 24 compressed bags of dagga inside the vehicle—an amount estimated to be worth several million rand . The vehicle and its illegal contents, along with a temporary Limpopo-issued driver’s licence found inside, suggest that the suspect might be from Limpopo Province .
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Ongoing Manhunt
The suspect remains at large. Police have urged anyone with information to contact the Crime Stop number (08600 10111) or submit anonymous tip-offs through the MYSAPS App. All tips will be treated with strict confidentiality .
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Official Response
Acting Provincial SAPS Commissioner Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi applauded the operation, saying: “The suspect may run, but he cannot hide. Police will track him down and bring him to justice.” He emphasised that local communities and tourists depend on a secure environment and commended the Task Team’s vigilance.
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Contextualising the Bust
This R7 million bust is part of wider crime-fighting efforts in Mpumalanga. Operation Vala Umgodi in Northern Cape recently nabbed multiple suspects for drug trafficking, including dagga and mandrax, as part of intelligence-driven crackdowns  .
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Trends in Drug Trafficking in Mpumalanga
Mpumalanga has seen a surge in dagga trafficking via major routes like the N4 and provincial roads. Last month, the White River Flying Squad — ironically — was implicated in facilitating dagga trafficking along the same corridor. Three police officers were arrested in connection with escorting a vehicle containing 107 bags of dagga . Such breaches in law enforcement erode public trust and complicate policing efforts.
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