A 32-year-old man from the Kingdom of Eswatini has been sentenced for dealing in dagga after being arrested in Carolina earlier this week.

Mpendulo Raymond Vilakati was found guilty and ordered to pay a fine of R50 000 or, failing that, to serve 12 years in prison. The sentencing took place on Wednesday, 29 October 2025, at the Carolina Magistrate’s Court.

The arrest followed an intelligence-driven operation on Monday evening, 27 October 2025. Police stopped Vilakati, who was driving a vehicle with a Gauteng registration and a trailer. Upon searching the trailer, officers discovered 150 packets of compressed dagga weighing approximately 156 kilograms, with an estimated street value of R936 000.

Vilakati, who owns the vehicle, paid the fine and was subsequently released. Investigations are ongoing to establish whether the vehicle was involved in other criminal activities.

The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, praised the officers involved in the operation.

“The roads in our province should not be used for illegal drug trafficking. We remain committed to removing drugs from our communities and holding offenders accountable,” he said.

Police have reiterated their commitment to tackling drug-related crimes to ensure safer communities.