By Nothando Makhubela
Police in Mpumalanga are looking for a truck driver who “disappeared into thin air” when R29.3 million of cocaine was discovered in his truck entering South Africa’s Lebombo Border Post from Mozambique.
Officials at the border, who were on duty on Saturday, reportedly found cocaine hidden inside the truck. According to reports, the driver ran away after declaring his cargo to be “hair pieces”.
The cocaine was wrapped in nine brown packets and weighed a total of 200 kg.
Police indicated that the driver entered South Africa at the Port of Entry while driving a truck with a Gauteng registration number plate.
In an interview with Scrolla.Africa, Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said, “Officials were still busy when the driver sneaked away under the pretence that he was going to get hold of the truck owner.
“He disappeared into thin air before officials discovered the 200 kg of suspected drugs (cocaine) hidden inside the truck. Both the truck and the luggage were confiscated for further investigation.”
Earlier last week, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, the provincial commissioner of the SAPS, visited the Lebombo Border to assess preparations for the holiday season.
“We are happy that the police are doing great work. All stakeholders are committed to ensure a festive season that is free from crime — hence this major breakthrough,” she said.
Pictured above: Nine parcels of cocaine worth R29.3 million were seized at the Lebombo Border
Image source: Supplied by SAPS
