Two Men Remanded After Dagga Worth R1.2 Million Found on N2

Two Zimbabwean nationals have been remanded in custody after appearing before the Mkhondo Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 5 December 2025, following their arrest for dealing in dagga valued at an estimated R1.2 million.

According to a media statement issued by the Office of the Provincial Commissioner in Mpumalanga, the suspects — Tinashe Chitsamba (40) and Oscar Mutsetemari (45) — were arrested during routine police patrols along the N2 near Mahamba at around 20:35 on Wednesday, 4 December.

Police stopped a truck with the two men on board and conducted a search. Officers discovered six large bags of compressed dagga hidden at the back of the vehicle. Upon questioning, the men allegedly admitted that they had loaded the dagga at Tshelejuba, on the eastern side of Mahamba in KwaZulu-Natal, and were travelling from Empangeni to Zimbabwe.

The dagga weighed 200 kilograms and carries an estimated street value of R1.2 million. Police further established that both men are in the country illegally. The truck used to transport the drugs was confiscated for further investigation.

Chitsamba and Mutsetemari have been charged with dealing in dagga and contravening immigration laws. They were remanded in custody, and their next court appearance is scheduled for 28 January 2026.