Mpumalanga police responded to the lawlessness behaviour by setting up a high density operation in Gert Sibande District.

As result, 21 suspects were nabbed for various charges including dealing in drugs and two arrested after warrants for their arrest were issued against them.

The focus was mainly on major roads, including N2 and N17 where stop and searches were conducted. The operation was also extended to areas like Bethal, Emzinoni, Standerton, Sakhile and other towns in the district. Those who violated the National Road Traffic Act were not spared as five motorists were issued with fines.

Three suspects aged between 18 and 30 were arrested for illegal possession of drugs and dagga at Emzinoni and R2 800-00 seized during their arrest as part of the investigation.

A 32-year-old suspect was nabbed in Sheepmoor next to Ermelo with 59 bags of dagga weighing at 320 kilograms and a vehicle was also confiscated.

Two suspects were also arrested following warrants of arrest issued against them. The cases against all arrested suspects are before various courts across Gert Sibande District facing the said charges.

The Provincial Commissioner of the police in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela indicated that the public should expect such operations to be conducted in other Districts. “We believe that with these efforts we will manage to disrupt and intercept criminal activities and by so doing, we will bring down the levels of crime,” said the General.