Masoka Dube

Masoka Dube

Two men were arrested when police found dagga with a street value of R2 million in their vehicle. They were travelling in a minibus near Piet Retief in Mpumalanga.

Fikile Mzuzwane, 36, and Petros Malinga, 36, appeared in the Piet retief magistrates' court on Monday and were refused bail because their nationality was not so clear.

Police spokesman Eric Sibisi said the two men were in possession of South African identity documents but had Swaziland passports.

"So we really don't know the origin of these men. That is why the investigating officer opposed their bail application in court," said Sibisi.

The men remained in custody and are expected to appear again on August 30.

They were arrested at a roadblock after police had apparently received a tip-off about a minibus transporting dagga from Swaziland to South Africa.

Police had set up roadblocks throughout the area. The men were stopped at a roadblock at 3am and their minibus was searched.

"Our officers searched the minibus and found the dagga in 19 bags, each weighing 80kg," said Sibisi.

"We also established that the suspects had not passed through the border gate but had crossed into South Africa illegally."

Police said officers who work at the border gate had waited in vain for the minibus to arrive after being tipped off.

Sibisi said the two suspects told police that the dagga was destined for Westonaria, on the West Rand.

"It's the biggest bust we've made in this area," Sibisi said.