Wentworth Metro police tighten screws on drug dealers
Also read: Police confiscate drugs, contraband at Fairvale Secondary [Video]
The first suspect, aged 39, was arrested on Alabama Road in Wentworth while en route to deliver 300 Mandrax tablets to his 'clients'.
Another suspect, 28, was arrested on Major Calvert Road with 31 heroine capsules. Both suspects were charged for possession of drugs.
Captain Greg Beavon of the Metro Street Crime unit said the estimated street value of the confiscated Mandrax is R6000.
'Metro police were conducting routine patrols in Wentworth when we spotted a man known to be a drug dealer. We stopped and searched him, and during the search, officers found Mandrax in the pocket of his jacket. He was arrested and detained at the Wentworth police station,' said Beavon.
He said the metro police unit in Wentworth is firmly committed to taking strong action against drug dealers who have become a widespread problem in the community.
Also read: Two arrested in police sting operation in Wentworth and Merebank
'Another 28-year-old man was arrested for being in possession of suspected stolen gas bottles. We have noticed a new trend in Wentworth and on The Bluff involving the theft of gas bottles,' he said.
He added, 'These stolen gas bottles are sold to the community.'
All the suspects appeared at the Wentworth Magistrate's Court on May 22.
What does the law says about buying suspected stolen goods?
Section 36 of the General Law Amendment Act, 1995 (Act 62 of 1955) states that:
Any person who is found in possession of any goods to which there is reasonable suspicion that they have been stolen and is unable to give a satisfactory account of such possession, shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to the penalties which may be imposed on a conviction of theft.
For more Southlands Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox.
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Three arrested as Anti-Gang Unit cracks down on drugs and shootings in Joburg
Three arrested as Anti-Gang Unit cracks down on drugs and shootings in Joburg The Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) arrested three people in separate operations in Westbury and Eldorado Park on July 13. They also arrested two other people for possession of suspected drugs, including CAT, crystal meth and Mandrax. The 32-year-old was arrested on Kackilijan Street, while the 22-year-old was arrested on Baloberg Street in Eldorado Park Ext 2. ALSO READ: Over 500 arrested in Johannesburg crime crackdown The AGU seized 67 ziplock bags containing what is suspected to be CAT from the 32-year-old, and 33 ziplock bags containing suspected crystal meth and 16 halved tablets suspected to be Mandrax from the 22-year-old. In a separate operation, the AGU arrested a 23-year-old linked to two recent attempted murder cases in Sophiatown after a positive eyewitness identification. AGU commander Brigadier Maphoto emphasised the team's commitment to recovering the weapon used in the attempted murders, with ongoing operations aimed at this objective. The suspects were detained at local police stations and will soon appear in the respective courts. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
Major police operation targets cannabis storage on The Bluff
A JOINT operation between the Metro Police Drug team and members of the eThekwini Infrastructure Task Team pounced on a cannabis and magic mushroom storage facility on The Bluff on July 14. A large quantity of dagga, magic mushrooms and hashish with an estimated value of over R700 000 was recovered, and one person was arrested. Also read: Police dismantle car parts theft ring The items that were recovered by the police includes: Over 800 cannabis cigarettes 45 cannabis syringes Containers containing psilocybin (magic mushrooms) Over 200 containers containing hashish More than 100 containers containing cannabis dabs Blocks of hashish weighing 207g Bottles of cannabis oils 4kg of cannabis dust 5kg of packaged cannabis dust Police spokesperson in the eThekwini District Captain Carmen Rhynes said, 'Upon members entering the property, a suspect (38) was confronted and interviewed. The members conducted a search and recovered large amounts of cannabis in different packaging. Upon a further search, members recovered psilocybin (magic mushrooms) and hashish. Members then seized all cannabis items, which was ready for distribution in the greater Durban area.' Carmen said the suspect was arrested for contravening Section 5 (b) of the drugs and drug trafficking Act. Also read: Police confiscate drugs, contraband at Fairvale Secondary [Video] eThekwini District Commissioner Major General Makhosazane Victoria Kheswa commend the law enforcement partnership between metro and the police for the arrest. She further emphasised that proper protocols must be followed when producing and selling of cannabis for medical purposes and adhering to the requirements of the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority and the Health Department. The items had been packaged for resale in the greater Durban area. The suspect was placed under arrest and detained at Brighton Beach police station. The suspect is expected to appear in court soon to face charges of dealing in drugs. For more Southlands Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
6 days ago
- IOL News
Labour court grants high-ranking police officer interim relief following ‘unlawful' dismissal
In its application, the Police and Prison Civil Rights Union, on behalf of Major-General Deena Moodley, said his termination was unlawful and contrary to his employment conditions with the SAPS. Image: Supplied A HIGH-RANKING police officer, who claimed he was 'unfairly' dismissed after he failed to attend a fitness inquiry due to ill-health, approached the Labour Court of South Africa in Johannesburg for urgent interim relief, which was granted. In its application, the Police and Prison Civil Rights Union (Popcru), on behalf of Major-General Deena Moodley, said his termination was unlawful and contrary to his employment conditions with the SAPS. Moodley sought interim relief, which included being reinstated without loss of remuneration or benefits such as medical aid, pending the outcome of a review application that the decision of the SAPS to convene a Fitness Board of Inquiry in terms of section 34(1) of the South African Police Services Act No. 68 of 1995 was unlawful. The outcome of the review would also declare that his dismissal was in breach of his conditions of employment and therefore invalid. Moodley sought that the matter be heard on an urgent basis because 'he was seriously ill, required medical attention, and his medical aid membership had been terminated as a result of the SAPS' unlawful conduct'. According to the judgment recently handed down by Judge Reynaud Daniels, Moodley served in the SAPS for more than 30 years until his dismissal on May 14, 2025. At the time of his dismissal, Moodley was a senior member of the SAPS. He had been the Head of SAPS Crime Intelligence: Collection until he was transferred to the Divisional Inspectorate on October 20, 2023. Moodley previously served as the head of Crime Intelligence in KwaZulu-Natal. According to the court papers, shortly thereafter, Moodley felt unwell and consulted a medical practitioner. His medical condition persisted. 'The applicant (Moodley) was absent from work for varying periods between late 2023 and 2025, apparently submitting medical certificates from time to time. As a result of his absences from work, on or about April 4, 2025, the SAPS issued a notice to the applicant in terms of section 34(1) of the SAPS Act. 'The notice informed the applicant that a Fitness Board of Enquiry would be convened on 24 and 25 April to determine his fitness for duty, in accordance with section 34(1)(b), (c) and (e) of the SAPS Act. The applicant, being unwell, consulted with a specialist psychiatrist who issued a medical certificate, booking him off from 7 April to 7 May,' it read. On April 16, Popcru wrote a letter to Colonel SB Ntuli, in his capacity as the chairperson of the inquiry. They advised him that Moodley had been booked off until May 7. In the letter, Popcru requested that the inquiry be postponed. 'Despite the request for a postponement, the hearing was convened on April 24. Popcru attended the hearing, but the applicant was absent, and presented the chairperson with a medical certificate and an affidavit from the medical practitioner. 'By agreement, the hearing was postponed to May 5, despite the chairperson being advised that the applicant was booked off until May 7. The chairperson required the parties to make written submissions by May 5,' it read. From April 29, Popcru and Moodley's attorneys attempted to secure an undertaking from the SAPS that the hearing would not proceed, to no avail. By May 5, Moodley had failed to make any representations, and the chairperson of the inquiry considered only the representations from the SAPS, the court papers read. On May 6, Moodley launched an urgent review application, which came before Acting Judge Matyolo on May 13. 'The court accepted that the matter was urgent but dismissed the application on the basis that the application was premature because no finding had yet been made by the fitness board. On the following day, the applicant was notified that he had been dismissed. 'In the minutes of the inquiry, the chairperson, Colonel SB Ntuli, despite the absence of the applicant found, on or about 10 May, that the applicant was unwilling to fulfill his employment contract, and unwilling to repent for his lengthy absences from work. In addition, the chairperson stated that the applicant is unconcerned with the employer's operational needs and values,' it read. According to the court papers, on May 13, the Divisional Commissioner Crime Intelligence, which is the convening authority, decided to terminate Moodley's services. In addition, the Divisional Commissioner Crime Intelligence, found inter-alia that Moodley had been absent from work since his transfer in late 2023. 'He noted that the applicant had submitted medical certificates which covered only part of the period of his absence, that the applicant had not secured the security clearance required to perform his duties, and that the applicant had been absent from duty without leave. 'The minutes of the Board, and the recommendations of the chairperson, were not forwarded to the applicant. The applicant, therefore did not make representations to the convening authority regarding the recommendations of the Board,' it read. In handing down judgment, Daniels said it was common cause that a section 34(1) inquiry was not a substitute for a disciplinary procedure. 'The respondents contended that the Board has a discretion to convert the inquiry into a disciplinary hearing. This is incorrect, for several reasons. The Disciplinary Regulations are clear that the alleged conduct of the applicant, absence without reason or permission, constitutes misconduct. This must therefore be dealt with in a disciplinary process. 'The (police) minister has not published any guidelines in terms of section 34(3) of the SAPS Act catering for the circumstances under which such an inquiry may be converted or deemed to have been converted into disciplinary proceedings,' he said. Daniels said by proceeding with the inquiry and failing to refer the issue to a disciplinary hearing to be conducted in accordance with the Discipline Regulations, the respondents breached Moodley's contract of employment. He said among the requirements for the granting of an interim interdict, an applicant must establish a prima facie right even if it is open to some doubt. 'The applicant has proven his prima facie right. The papers reveal that there is a reasonable apprehension of irreparable harm. Absent his medical aid, and continued income, the health of the applicant will be in jeopardy,' he said. Daniels said Moodley had also proven the breach of his employment contract. He said pending the final determination of the review application, an order was granted declaring that the respondents' dismissal of Moodley was in breach of his conditions of employment and therefore unlawful. Daniels also ordered that Moodley be reinstated into his previous position without loss of remuneration or benefits. THE POST
