Police launch manhunt for a Swaziland national for evading court on alleged drug charges

Estimated reading time: 5 minute(s)

Photo: supplied\SAPS

Members of the Hawks’Serious Corruption Investigation have launched a manhunt for the whereabouts of a Swaziland national, 26 years old Mayibongwe Masina for the alleged involvement of drug dealing.

It is alleged according to Mpumalanga Hawks Spokesperson Captain Dineo Sekgotodi that members of the Jossefsdal Police Station stopped and searched a vehicle which had three occupants inside, driving from Swaziland to South Africa on April 20th 2020.

A dagga worth a street value of R 12 000.00 was found in the vehicle upon searching and occupants admitted to being owners of the dagga and they were then arrested and taken to Barbeton Police Station where they were later on released on bail.

Upon further investigations by the Hawks, it was found that the vehicle used belonged to a 27 years old Constable Bhekumuzi Dlamini from Barbeton Police Station and was also the designated driver on the day.

“The investigation also revealed that the two suspects were allegedly hired by the Constable to smuggle dagga to South Africa from Swaziland. The investigation linked the Constable with the crime scene and summoned him to court.”

Captain Sekgotodi added the Constable was later on released on R 1000.00 bail after making an appearance at the Barbeton Magistrates Court on December 9th 2020.

He was due to appear together with the two accused arrested for drug dealing.

A warrant of arrest and manhunt was launched against Masina after failing to make an appearance in the court when his co-accused Sizwe Mkhonza 29 years old and the police Constable appeared in court. The case was then postponed to 25th May 2021 for further investigations.

Police urge any member of the community who might know the whereabouts of the Masina to contact Investigation Officer Detective Captain Livhuwani Dzaudzau on 071 481 3267.