Ongoing efforts by the South African Police Service (SAPS) to clean up the streets of drugs are showing results, as two suspects are set to appear in court following unrelated arrests over the weekend.

A 36-year-old Zimbabwean national was arrested on Saturday for drug possession after he was stopped near Meirings Park on the N1 Highway, following a tip-off about a truck en route from Kimberley to Cape Town carrying a consignment of drugs.

Police spokesperson Wesley Twigg says during a search of the vehicle, drugs with an estimated street value of more than R200,000 were seized.

“The Worcester Crime Prevention Unit members searched the truck and found 1,045 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in a plastic container in the truck. The estimated street value of the drugs is R209 000.”

The suspect is expected to appear before the Worcester Magistrates’ Court today.

Meanwhile, closer to home, a 28-year-old male will appear in Athlone Magistrates Court today after police raided his home, leading to the seizure of a significant stash of drugs.

“Members of Public Order Police searched the premises in Johanna Court, Manenberg, and arrested a 28-year-old male when they found 69 small packets containing crystal meth, 12 mandrax tablets, and 25 half mandrax tablets in the possession of the suspect.”

Also read: Five female alleged drug mules detained in South Africa

Five female alleged drug mules have been detained in South Africa. In a major development in the fight against drugs, police arrested five South African female drug mules on Saturday, 28 March 2026. The arrests were carried out at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. The drugs they had in their possession have a street value of over R5-million.

“A preliminary report suggests that the suspects were en route to China via Dubai.”

Five female alleged drug mules detained in South Africa

A national police spokesperson, Lt Col Amanda van Wyk, says officers were working closely with officials from the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) when the narcotics were discovered over the weekend. Van Wyk says police members searched the five women and discovered the drugs concealed inside their sneakers, underwear, and private parts. She says it’s believed that the suspects were en route to China via Dubai.

They face charges related to drug trafficking

The drugs were confiscated by the authorities and the suspects were taken into custody. Van Wyk says the five women are expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 31 March 2026. They face charges related to drug trafficking. She says the investigation is continuing.

“A search led to the discovery of drugs concealed inside their sneakers, underwear, and private parts.”

Amid global turmoil, President Cyril Ramaphosa has struck an optimistic tone, ahead of the sixth South African Investment Conference (SAIC) in Sandton.

This, despite the potential knock-on effect of the looming fuel price shock, which the President has conceded is a setback.

Speaking on the sidelines of the ANC Limpopo elective conference on Sunday, Ramaphosa said the fuel crisis, caused by the Middle East conflict, is affecting countries around the world. He said the government would address the matter.

This week, the country will welcome over 1,000 delegates from more than 50 countries to the Sandton Convention Centre. Ramaphosa will deliver the opening address on Tuesday, 31 March.

In his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa says investors are increasingly looking to destinations that have demonstrated “resilience in the face of volatile global financial conditions”, with South Africa presenting a favourable proposition.

At the end of the first five-year investment mobilisation drive, between 2018 and 2024, Ramaphosa says pledges valued at R1,57 trillion were secured. Over 300 projects were initiated, and to date, 161 of these have been finalised or are under construction.

“The pledges have not been merely vague commitments and promises, but have materialised as tangible, brick-and-mortar projects that are creating jobs for our people.”

The President says South Africa has become the leading destination for renewable energy investment on the continent, with these investments making up a considerable share of the total pledges made at previous conferences.

“We have a sound policy and regulatory environment, offering certainty to investors at a time when we are just one of many emerging markets across the globe vying for capital.”

Ramaphosa says South Africa has also become a gateway for businesses looking to set up or expand their operations in Africa.

“Through this conference, as well as the five preceding ones, we will be seeking to build even greater confidence in our country as an investment destination, and to demonstrate our commitment to structural reform, policy certainty and policy execution.”

The President says the “green shoots of economic recovery”  will further bolster the country’s position, as it seeks to ramp up investments.

“By showcasing our unique and favourable proposition as an investment destination of choice, we have set ourselves the goal of mobilising R2 trillion in new investments by 2028.”

Read the President’s full newsletter HERE.

Five people have died at the scene of a crash on the R45 between Hopefield and Langebaanweg, near the Elandsfontein mine.  

The accident on Sunday also saw three others sustain injuries. 

The Western Cape Mobility Department reports that three men and two women died in the crash.  

The R45 was temporarily closed to traffic and rerouted via Velddrif (from Hopefield) and back toward the West Coast Road (from Langebaanweg).  

According to the Mobility Department, preliminary investigations into the incident indicate that the accident may have been the result of reckless overtaking. 

“All survivors were found to have been wearing seatbelts,” read the department’s statement.  

MEC Isaac Sileku added that this incident follows just days after the launch of the province’s Easter Road Safety Plan, which is geared toward preventing such fatalities. 

 “Reckless overtaking is extremely dangerous, as it reduces reaction time and puts lives at risk in seconds. We urge motorists to only overtake when it is safe,” said Sileku. 

He further highlighted the importance of wearing seatbelts, noting that it significantly reduces risk for both front and back seat passengers. 

“The fact that the survivors were wearing seatbelts may have helped prevent additional loss of life. Our thoughts are with the families of those who have passed on, and we wish the injured a speedy recovery. We urge all road users to drive responsibly and help keep our province’s roads safe,” said Sileku.  

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Provincial Easter Road Safety Plan

The Western Cape Government is prioritising road safety with the deployment of more traffic officers, advanced traffic monitoring tech and a focus on high-risk routes this Easter holiday.  

Sileku, alongside Premier Alan Winde, launched the safety plan in Khayelitsha on Friday.  

There, they noted that in the first three months of this year, from 1 January to 15 March, 238 people have died on provincial roads. Pedestrians continue to make up the highest number of fatalities, with 134 pedestrians killed in the mentioned time period.  

“Every life lost is a tragedy that could often be prevented. This Easter, I urge all road users to plan your journey, take regular breaks, stay alert, and never drink and drive or walk while intoxicated. Please also look out for the most vulnerable on our roads – our pedestrians,” said Sileku. 

In response, Provincial Traffic Services, with help from the SAPS, EMS, and municipal authorities, will conduct 24/7 operations, including increased officer deployment, vehicle checkpoints, and alcohol testing centres across several regions. Drones and licence plate recognition systems will be used to detect violations, while rapid response teams will be coordinated through the Provincial Disaster Management Centre.  

Additional focus will be placed on high-risk routes like the N1 and N2, public transport compliance, and pedestrian awareness campaigns, with officials calling on the public to share responsibility in reducing road fatalities. 

“Road users have an obligation to respect the rules of the road, not only over the long Easter weekend, but throughout the year. Let us all arrive safely at our destinations; let us all show respect for each other on our roads,” said Winde.  

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