Two foreign nationals, Cuthbert Derera (30) and Wishborn Fufa (39), appeared before the Thabazimbi Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 15 September 2025, facing charges of possession of dagga and contravention of the Medicine and Related Substances Act.
Their case has been postponed to 22 September 2025 for a formal bail application.
The arrest stems from a coordinated intelligence-driven operation on Saturday, 13 September 2025. Members of the Northam SAPS, Thabazimbi SAPS, and Zimbi Security received credible information about a truck allegedly transporting a large consignment of illicit substances destined for the Groblersbrug border post outside the Waterberg District.
Acting on this tip-off, the team successfully intercepted the truck on the R510 road towards Lephalale. The driver and crew were instructed to alight from the vehicle. A subsequent search led to the discovery of a substantial haul of illegal goods.
Found in the truck were 40 bales of Swazi dagga with an estimated street value of R1.5 million, alongside a large quantity of assorted cough syrups and medicines, including Benylin with codeine, Bronclear, and Astra pain. The estimated value of the medicinal substances is R500,000.
The two suspects were unable to provide a legitimate account for the origin of the items. They were subsequently placed under arrest and detained at the Thabazimbi SAPS station.
Police investigations into the matter are ongoing.
