A Zimbabwean national was on Friday arrested for possession of drugs and attempted bribery in South Africa. Western Cape police confiscated 30 bags of Mandrax tablets worth R1.5 million from the Zimbabwean national.
Police attached to the provincial narcotics unit were doing routine checks on Friday morning along the N1 in Beaufort West when they busted the Zimbabwean.
Provincial police spokesperson Sgt Christopher Spies said the suspect allegedly offered the police officers R400 for safe passage. He said:
On Friday morning at about 9.30 AM, members of the team were busy with routine vehicle checks along the N1 when they spotted a silver Toyota Corolla parked at a petrol station. The driver acted suspiciously when he noticed the members.
They approached the driver who then offered them R400 to escort him past traffic officials patrolling the highway.
The members arrested the suspect on a bribery charge and proceeded with a search of his vehicle, finding 30,000 Mandrax tablets in bags concealed in the boot and panels of the vehicle.
Police confiscated the drugs and seized the vehicle. Spies said the suspect is set to appear in court on Monday on charges of dealing in drugs and bribery.
In other news – Zimbabwe exemption permits court challenge set for April
Several South African lobby groups met on Wednesday to discuss the upcoming court bid to oppose the SA government’s decision to scrap the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP).
The case is set to be heard at the High Court in Pretoria from 11 to 14 April. The event was organized by the UCT Refugee Rights Unit and the Centre for European Policy Studies. Learn More
