By REGINALD KANYANE
12 January 2026- Swift cooperation between the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Free State and Northern Cape provinces has led to the arrest of two suspects and the seizure of a substantial quantity of drugs. On 9 January 2026, police in the Free State alerted their counterparts in the Pixley ka Seme District in the Northern Cape about suspected drug trafficking along the N9 road, near Colesberg.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said at approximately 2:55pm, a multi-disciplinary team comprising members from Colesberg SAPS, Kuyasa SAPS, Highway Patrol, and Detectives operationalised the information and successfully intercepted the identified vehicle on the N9 road, approximately 10km, outside Colesberg in the direction of Noupoort. Ehlers said the gold Toyota Fortuner was stopped and searched, resulting in the seizure of mandrax tablets with an estimated street value of R16.4 million.
“Two suspects aged 46 and 59 were arrested on charges of dealing in drugs. In addition, a firearm, ammunition, and the vehicle believed to have been used in the commission of the crime were confiscated,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Pixley ka Seme District Police Commissioner, Major General Nomana Mtukushe, commended the police for their swift response and for removing dangerous drugs from the streets. Mtukushe further assured the community that the police will continue to enforce a zero-tolerance approach towards drug trafficking, particularly along national routes.
The Guardian 