Police in Mayflower arrested a 29-year-old Eswatini national for dealing in dagga following a shootout near the Waverley Port of Entry on Saturday, 05 July 2025.
The incident occurred at approximately 04:30 when officers, conducting patrols near the border at Esandleni, noticed a suspicious vehicle and stopped it for inspection. Upon being halted, three occupants exited the car and allegedly opened fire on the police before attempting to flee. Officers returned fire, resulting in one suspect being shot and apprehended, while the other two escaped and remain at large.
The injured suspect was transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered 166 packets of dagga, weighing approximately 190.46 kilograms, with an estimated street value of R1.1 million.
After being discharged from the hospital, the suspect was taken into custody. During the exchange of gunfire, a police vehicle sustained damage to its left front door.
The arrested individual is set to appear in the Mayflower Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 07 July 2025. He faces multiple charges, including dealing in dagga, malicious damage to state property, and contravention of the Immigration Act.
Authorities continue to search for the two remaining suspects. Investigations are ongoing.
