By: The Youth Voice Reporter
Nkomazi— A secret dagga empire hidden along a riverbank has been uncovered after police swooped in on a massive marijuana field worth an estimated R2.9 million, sending shockwaves through the Nkomazi area.
Acting on intelligence received late on Friday (10/01/2026) afternoon, police and other law enforcement agencies were led to a sprawling dagga plantation growing next to the Mhlambanyatsi River, near the well-known Buffelspruit farms outside Malelane. The discovery was made at around 16:30, revealing rows of fully grown dagga plants carefully cultivated in what authorities believe was a well-planned illegal operation.
Police have described the find as one of the major dagga busts in the area, dealing a heavy blow to drug traffickers who had used the river’s proximity to hide and sustain the crop.
Despite the scale of the operation, the masterminds behind the plantation vanished without a trace. An intensive investigation is now underway, with police racing to identify and track down those responsible. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
The dramatic discovery unfolded during Operation Safer Festive Season in the Ehlanzeni District, led by Mpumalanga Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, alongside Deputy Provincial Commissioner Major General Samuel Sekgobela, Ehlanzeni District Commissioner Major General Dorah Xaba, and other senior officials. Traffic officers, Nkomazi law enforcement, as well as SARS and Customs officials, were also part of the operation.
In a decisive move, police uprooted and destroyed the entire dagga field, wiping out millions of rands’ worth of illegal drugs in a single operation.
“We are relentless in our fight against drug trafficking,” said Major General Mkhwanazi. “We will continue to dismantle illegal drug activities and protect our communities at all costs.”
As Operation Safer Festive Season continues, authorities have sent a clear message: there is no hiding place for drug dealers in Mpumalanga.