Foreigners arrested after R54 million Goodwood heroin and tik drug bust
Western Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie, said the bust comes after an intelligence-driven operation in the area.
Members attached to Operation Restore operationalised information which led them to a residence situated at Molteno Street in Goodwood where they initiated a search of the premises.
During the search the members discovered and seized 6kg of heroin which was found in a cupboard in one of the rooms.
The occupant of the room, a 32-year-old, Tanzanian national, was arrested and charged for dealing in Heroin with an estimated street value of almost R1 million.
The members extended the search to another bedroom where they found 100 grams of heroin which led to the arrest of a 28-year-old Burundi national for the possession of drugs.
While processing the suspects, the members received further information of more drugs hidden at the residence.
The members expanded the search, leading to the discovery of 145kg of tik and 16kg of heroin found in the roof of the residence.
The estimated street value is R53.3 million, bringing the total value of the discovery to R54.3 million.
The provincial commissioner of the Western Cape, Lt Gen (Adv.) Thembisile Patekile, praised the members for their dedication in efforts to rid the Western Cape streets of the scourge of drug abuse and trafficking.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
13 hours ago
- The Citizen
Cops charged with kidnapping Chinese national out on bail
The officers each face charges of kidnapping, corruption and defeating the ends of justice. Two Gauteng police officers accused of unlawfully detaining and extorting a foreign national have been granted R1 000 bail each. Constable Gift Mncedi Nteso, 33, and reservist Constable Seipati Mofokeng, 39, appeared in the Vereeniging Magistrate's Court on Friday following their arrest on Tuesday. They allegedly detained a Chinese national at the Sharpeville police station and demanded R3 000 ransom from family members in order to secure the victim's release. They each face charges of kidnapping, corruption and defeating the ends of justice. Hawks investigates tip-off According to the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster (JCPS), a senior police official informed the Vaal Rand-based Serious Corruption Investigation unit of the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (Hawks) of the arrest. 'An investigation was immediately launched and verbal 252A authorisation (entrapment) was secured from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions in Pretoria to monitor the transaction,' JCPS said in a statement. ALSO READ: Former Northern Cape cop jailed for housebreaking Before Nteso and Mofokeng could collect the full amount, the Hawks were informed that a R1 000 payment had been made and the victim had been released. They allegedly released the Chinese national without filing any formal record of arrest at the police station. Police officers arrested at police station Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Thatohatsi Mavimbela said the investigating team went to the Sharpeville police station to execute the arrest. 'The two suspects were arrested after failing to provide satisfactory reasons as to why the Chinese national was arrested and released with no record,' Mavimbela said. Nteso and Mofokeng are expected to appear in court again on 1 September. NOW READ: Chinese nationals fined R400k for abalone worth almost R2m
TimesLIVE
16 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Limpopo man sentenced to life in prison more than decade after raping 12-year-old girl
A Limpopo man has been sentenced to life in prison more than a decade after raping a 12-year-old girl in the Bolobedu area near Tzaneen. Nelson Letsoalo, 46, was convicted in the Tzaneen regional court on Thursday after an investigation by the family violence, child protection and sexual offences (FCS) unit. According to provincial police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba the incident happened in 2013 when the minor was visiting her grandmother in Khapamadi Section under Bolobedu policing area. 'The victim went to a shop that was next to the tavern and Letsoalo, who was known by the victim as a cleaner, called her to come inside the tavern,' said Ledwaba. 'The accused forced the victim to lay on the floor and she was raped. Afterwards, Letsoalo threatened the victim with death if she told anyone about it.' The child later disclosed the traumatic incident to her mother in January 2020, which led to an immediate report to local police. Letsoalo was arrested the next day on January 5 2020 at his home in Kgapane and the matter was immediately transferred to Tzaneen FCS. 'The accused made numerous court appearances until he was granted R1,000 bail,' Ledwaba said. Despite the time that had passed, Letsoalo was found guilty of rape of a minor and sentenced to life in prison. Provincial police commissioner Lt-Gen Thembi Hadebe welcomed the court outcome.
The Citizen
17 hours ago
- The Citizen
KFC drops sponsorship of non-profit MES amid corruption allegations
KFC said its action signals a loss of confidence in MES's leadership More than 3 000 children face hunger and more than 100 jobs hang in the balance after KFC Add Hope's abrupt termination of its 14-year partnership with Mould Empower Serve (MES), a prominent nonprofit running homeless shelters and feeding schemes across Gauteng. The fast food giant's move comes in the wake of mounting allegations of corruption, racial bias and financial mismanagement at the embattled NGO. KFC's Add Hope funding pulled KFC confirmed that its decision was prompted by 'allegations of corrupt activity' at MES. Our Add Hope beneficiary organisations are consistently vetted to ensure confidence in their ability to manage funds. This includes ensuring that our partners meet strict credibility criteria, have a proven track record and behave in accordance with our exemplary standards,' Head of Corporate Affairs at KFC Africa, Andra Nel told The Citizen. 'When we become aware of allegations that might fall short of, or not meet our standards, it immediately triggers a reassessment of the beneficiary partnership.' The company also noted that more than R1 million in Add Hope donations had been spent before the termination, prompting a demand for a full report on how the funds were used. 'All of our beneficiary organisations have regular reporting deadlines where detailed accounting has to be shared of how funds are utilised. Should we find that there is any indication of funding not spent as intended, we reserve our right to take action.' ALSO READ: UPDATE: MES says CEO 'absolved' after claims of BEE violations and financial misconduct While KFC said it has not yet identified specific irregularities in the reporting lines, its action signals a loss of confidence in MES's leadership. MES did not respond to The Citizen's question about KFC's withdrawal. Whistleblowers allege widespread misconduct The termination of KFC's partnership comes after an anonymous group of MES staff, in a detailed statement, claimed the organisation has been hollowed out by corruption and cronyism. At the centre of the scandal is suspended CEO Leona Pienaar, who allegedly hired friends and relatives to senior posts despite their lack of qualifications, ignored internal governance rules, and was protected by board members accused of racial favouritism and nepotism. 'The cover-up unleashed a devastating chain of events,' the statement reads. 'Donor trust was eroded by MES's refusal to be transparent, not by those who exposed the truth.' According to the whistleblowers, Pienaar once fired a staffer for taking 'two extra pieces of chicken' from a feeding scheme – but was herself cleared of most charges despite strong evidence in a forensic report recommending disciplinary action. MES denies wrongdoing, blames 'smear campaign' In a media statement issued on Thursday, the MES board hit back at the allegations, describing them as 'unfounded, spurious and defamatory'. The board accused a small group of 'disgruntled ex-employees' of orchestrating a smear campaign to damage MES's reputation. The board said it had commissioned an independent investigation and found 'no gross or general governance irregularities' and 'no evidence of racism, dishonesty, financial misconduct, or corruption'. It acknowledged the need for 'governance realignment' but insisted the core allegations were either false or materially misleading. Despite this, MES has refused to release the full forensic report, citing legal privilege. The Department of Social Development – which funds over half of MES's operations – has also requested the report. Its future support now appears uncertain. Food insecurity, retrenchments loom According to the statement by anonymous staff members, KFC's withdrawal and the collapse of key programmes have seen shelters like Impilo in Jeppestown, Ekhaya in the CBD and another in Kempton Park running short on food. It is also alleged that MES staff received only half their salaries for two months. Whistleblowers claim MES may owe Sars, UIF, and pension contributions, placing employees at serious financial risk. More than 110 jobs, mostly held by Black South Africans, are under threat. Some staff allege targeted restructuring efforts are being used to intimidate whistleblowers, while unqualified allies of Pienaar remain in senior roles. 'The organisation is no longer a haven of service. It has become a workplace ruled by fear and silence,' said one staff member.
