EMALAHLENI – Five suspects arrested for possession of dagga worth R500, 000 on Sunday, 19 April after the Police received a tip-off call from Kriel residents on the ongoing complaints of dagga being sold to Kriel community.
Police Constable Solomon Senoamadi was among the arrested suspects and they were all arrested and charged for possession of dagga as well as defeating the ends of justice. Constable Senoamadi, stationed at Tsakane SAPS, is also allegedly involved in drug trafficking.
Mpumalanga Police spokesperson, Brigadier Leonard Hlathi said, “A team of police officers sought to investigate criminal activities in Kriel after receiving a number of complaints from public that some police members were allegedly involved in drug trafficking. The police then received information about a Gauteng marked vehicle which had five occupants, including a driver who was wearing a police uniform.”
Upon stopping the said vehicle, the driver produced his police appointment card identifying himself as a police officer with the intention to divert the attention of the members. However, police continued with their investigation where they conducted a search and found sixteen sealed bags of dagga which were stashed at the back of vehicle, Brig. Hlathi explained.
Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma strongly warned police as well as other law enforcement agencies to refrain from participating in criminal activities. “This vehicle was supposed to have been utilized for the benefit of the community at the local station where it has been allocated to but instead, it was used illegally to transport illicit staff. Disciplinary action will be taken against the member or anyone found to be wrong side of the law,” said General Zuma.
The residents in Kriel said: “Our community is not safe; we fear for our children. Police are the people who know and understand the law but we are so disappointed to be having a police member promoting drugs to our streets. Drugs daily kills thousands in numbers.”
The five suspects appeared at Kriel Magistrates’s Court on Monday, 20 April and they were granted with a bail of R2000. Their case is postponed to 23 April for further investigation.
