By Rex Mphisa
SOUTH African Police Service (SAPS) has intercepted two Zimbabweans with R1.5 million worth of Mbanje and R500 000 banned cough syrups believed destined for Zimbabwe through Botswana and South Africa’s Groblersbrug Border Post.
The two, Cuthbert Derera aged 30 and Wishborn Fufa 39, have already appeared in an SA court at Thabazimbi in Limpopo and remanded in custody to September 22 for formal bail applications.
In a statement SAPS said Derera and Fufa were charged for possession of the dagga and contravention of the medicines and related substances Act.
“Two foreign national suspects Cuthbert Derera aged 30 and Wishborn Fufa 39 have appeared before Thabazimbi Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 15 September 2025, for possession of dagga and Contravention of medicine and related substances Act at Thabazimbi,” said SAPS.
‘Their case was postponed to 22 September 2025 for formal bail application.”
It said the two were caught when members of Northam SAPS, Thabazimbi SAPS and Zimbi security received information about the truck transporting dagga and multiple bottles of Benylin codeine medicines to Groblersbrug boarder outside Waterberg District on Saturday, 13 September 2025.
The team operationalized on the information and sucessfully stopped the truck on the R510 road to Lephalale.
“The truck driver and the crew were requested to alight from the truck. During the search, the crew discovered, 40 bales of dagga (Swazi) valued at R1, 500,000, assorted bottles of Benylin with codeine, Bronclear and Astra pain valued at R500 000.
The two suspects were unable to account for the origin of items.
They were arrested and detained at Thabazimbi SAPS,Waterberg District.
The Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe applauded the members’ attention and determination in intercepting people attempting to smuggle harmful substances into or out of the country.
Police investigations are ongoing but it is believed the dagga bales were from Swaziland.
Swaziland (now Eswatini) is now known as on one largest suppliers of dagga growing the traditional cannabis strain called “Swazi Gold,” which is highly potent and historically commands a high price.
The term “dagga” is a widely used Afrikaans word for cannabis, particularly in Southern Africa, though it originates from the Khoikhoi word “dacha”.