Latest news with #Mandrax
The Citizen
19 hours ago
- The Citizen
Drugs found in Sakhile possibly linked to drug lab operation in Standerton
Drugs found in Sakhile possibly linked to drug lab operation in Standerton Drugs worth about R2 million were seized in Sakhile on Friday (August 8). The Hawks' Secunda-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit and Standerton K9 received information about suspects dealing in drugs at an identified premises in Sakhile. Members operationalised the information, and drugs were found concealed in two vehicles — a KwaZulu-Natal–registered BMW and a Gauteng–registered VW Polo. Two safes were also seized from the house. When opened, they contained large quantities of drugs, including Kat, Mandrax, and crystal meth. The police also found R7 000 . According to the Hawks' spokesperson in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi, the Hawks are investigating the possible link between the recently recovered drugs and the earlier discovery of a clandestine laboratory and a warehouse earlier this year. The three suspects are expected to appear before the Standerton Magistrate's Court on Monday. The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Nico Gerber, commended the team for their continued successes against drug syndicates. 'The Hawks have intensified their efforts against the manufacturing and distribution of drugs in the area. The recent successes are testimony to this. 'We will never relent in our efforts to curb this scourge,' concluded Gerber.
The Herald
2 days ago
- The Herald
Three nabbed during drug busts
A search of two properties in Thornhill and Humansdorp led to the arrests of three people and the confiscation of drugs including mandrax, cocaine and dagga. Police spokesperson Capt Marius McCarthy said the intelligence driven operation was conducted by the anti-gang unit (AGU) in Gqeberha, in collaboration with the Sarah Baartman district crime intelligence unit. 'On Wednesday, members of the AGU executed search warrants at two identified addresses,' he said. The first operation was conducted in Thornhill, where police arrested a 28-year-old man after discovering mandrax tablets, cocaine and dagga on the premises. During the same operation, a 27-year-old woman was arrested after police found mandrax tablets, tik, cocaine and dagga in her possession. In a separate operation later that same day, police raided a second address in Humansdorp, where a 20-year-old man was arrested. He was allegedly found in possession of mandrax tablets, tik, and dagga. McCarthy said the confiscated drugs had an estimated combined street value of R20,000. 'The three suspects are expected to appear in the Humansdorp magistrate's court soon on charges related to dealing in drugs.' The Herald
TimesLIVE
6 days ago
- TimesLIVE
'It could have been my child': community fumes over Joburg mom who gave 'drugs' to young son
A woman and three men from Newclare appeared briefly in the Johannesburg magistrate's court on Monday facing charges of attempted murder and child abuse after a viral video showed the woman's toddler being coerced to smoke 'a harmful substance'. The case was postponed to Thursday, to allow for verification of alternative addresses submitted by the defence. The video, which was shared on social media and led to the mother's arrest on July 29, saw the woman and her friends getting the four-year-old boy to light and smoke what appeared to be a Mandrax and dagga-laced bottleneck pipe. 'We cannot say it is drugs at this point, the investigations are ongoing. It is safe to say the child was placed in danger and that is why the state has removed the child to a place of safety,' NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said outside court. The NPA intends to oppose the accused's release on bail, citing the sensitivity of the matter and the victim's age. Mjonondwane asked the public to stop sharing the footage. 'It is dismaying that such videos are circulating. We have taken necessary steps and appeal to the public to stop sharing them. The victim is a minor, we must protect his dignity and the integrity of the investigation.' A woman who identified herself as a relative of one of the accused expressed heartbreak over the incident. Despite her ties to the accused, she said she chose to attend the hearing in solidarity with the victim. 'I am here because it could have been my child too. I am also a mother. 'In our community drugs are a huge problem, but nobody listens to us,' she told TimesLIVE. 'We as coloured people do not get recognised by government. We cry out when shootings happen, when kids are lost to drugs and no one hears us. Now suddenly everyone cares, but where were they when we were fighting this battle alone?' Community activist Melissa Davids said: 'We want justice and we want it as in yesterday. 'The justice system is failing us, too many children are being abused and nothing happens.' Davids said she receives constant calls about child abuse cases that do not make headlines or reach social workers. 'On my way here, I got a call about a mother who tried to give up her child because she could not take care of them. She said [the department of] social development turned her away.' Davids believes there is systemic neglect of coloured communities, citing unemployment, drugs and lack of social services. 'Our people have nothing. That is why so many kids are exposed to drugs and violence. The government ignores us until it is too late,' she said.
The Herald
01-08-2025
- Health
- The Herald
Toddler video 'a cry for help from drug-ravaged Newclare community'
Speaking to Sowetan outside court, Dr Shaheda Omar of the Teddy Bear Foundation described the video as 'shock, horror, sadness and anger'. 'The child responded spontaneously when asked to participate, which suggests this is not an isolated incident. This is a clear violation of the child's right to safety, health and protection,' she said. Omar said a toddler's exposure to Mandrax could have severe and potentially life-threatening effects. 'It slows down breathing, can cause respiratory depression, coma, or even death. It affects the heart, lowers blood pressure, can trigger seizures and lead to long-term organ damage. 'We cannot rule out possible brain damage if the child was exposed even before birth. The long-term consequences include addiction, poor concentration, behavioural disorders and psychological trauma.' ActionSA MP Dereleen James said she was deeply disturbed by the matter, calling it part of a disturbing trend of child abuse cases. 'Yet another child violated. We are still reeling from the Jayden-Lee matter, and now this. A spate of negligence has taken root in our communities,' she said. James said part of the problem lay in poor service delivery in Newclare. 'Social workers often fail these communities and return children to the same abusive environments,' she said. 'We also know places of safety are overwhelmed, and cases like these are often struck off the roll due to a shortage of social workers. Even after the Joshlin matter, Saldanha Bay [in the Western Cape] struggles with services to protect children from abuse.' SowetanLIVE
TimesLIVE
31-07-2025
- Health
- TimesLIVE
Toddler video 'a cry for help from drug-ravaged Newclare community'
Speaking to Sowetan outside court, Dr Shaheda Omar of the Teddy Bear Foundation described the video as 'shock, horror, sadness and anger'. 'The child responded spontaneously when asked to participate, which suggests this is not an isolated incident. This is a clear violation of the child's right to safety, health and protection,' she said. Omar said a toddler's exposure to Mandrax could have severe and potentially life-threatening effects. 'It slows down breathing, can cause respiratory depression, coma, or even death. It affects the heart, lowers blood pressure, can trigger seizures and lead to long-term organ damage. 'We cannot rule out possible brain damage if the child was exposed even before birth. The long-term consequences include addiction, poor concentration, behavioural disorders and psychological trauma.' ActionSA MP Dereleen James said she was deeply disturbed by the matter, calling it part of a disturbing trend of child abuse cases. 'Yet another child violated. We are still reeling from the Jayden-Lee matter, and now this. A spate of negligence has taken root in our communities,' she said. James said part of the problem lay in poor service delivery in Newclare. 'Social workers often fail these communities and return children to the same abusive environments,' she said. 'We also know places of safety are overwhelmed, and cases like these are often struck off the roll due to a shortage of social workers. Even after the Joshlin matter, Saldanha Bay [in the Western Cape] struggles with services to protect children from abuse.'
