The Zeerust Police arrested two foreign nationals on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. The officers identified them as Kaunda Martin, 38, from Zambia, and Mkumba Jafari Hamisi, 41, from Tanzania.
Police made the arrest after receiving a tip-off about a truck allegedly transporting illegal substances from Tanzania to Johannesburg.
“The police allegedly stopped the truck along R49 in Zeerust, and upon conducting a search, they discovered suspected crystal meth drugs, estimated at R37 million, hidden in a false compartment,” Lt. Col. Tinyiko Mathebula, spokesperson for the North West Hawks, said.
Also, in a Joint Media Statement, the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (HAWKS) and National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) revealed that the exact value of the drugs is still under investigation. Preliminary estimates suggest the drugs’ street value exceeds R30 million.
However, Wessels Morweng, the North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, commended law enforcement for their swift action in the bust.
“We must commend men and women in uniform for their stunning work on the arrest.”
The accused appeared in the Zeerust Magistrate’s Court on Friday, January 31, 2025, on drug trafficking charges.
Subsequently, the North West Hawks Head and Director of Public Prosecutions in North West welcomed the arrest and court appearance of the accused.
Despite the praise for police efforts, Kgosi Kwena Mangope, ActionSA provincial chairperson, criticized the ANC government. He blamed ineffective immigration policies and poor border control for the rise in drug trafficking.
“The fact that these drugs were being transported from Zambia via a minibus taxi highlights how easily international criminal syndicates exploit South Africa’s porous borders.”
Formal proceedings in the case will begin on Tuesday, February 11, 2025.
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