By Ncaba Ntshakala
The Ministry of Defence and National Security’s Second Quarter Performance Report for 2024/2025 has revealed that cannabis worth an estimated E6,186,940 was seized during the reporting period.
The confiscated dagga, amounting to 6,186.94 kilograms, was handed over to various police stations within the ministry’s Area of Responsibility (AOR). The second quarter spans from August to September.
The report further highlights how suspects frequently abandoned consignments and fled to avoid apprehension during the operations, which included foot patrols and vehicle checkpoints.
Again, efforts to disrupt illegal activities also extended to the interception of vehicles carrying undocumented individuals attempting to smuggle cannabis across the country’s borders.
RELATED: Dagga farmers hijack government-subsidised farm inputs
The ministry reported the successful recovery of stolen livestock during the same period. These included 196 goats valued at E197,700 and 59 cattle worth E506,000, which were being rustled out of Eswatini into neighboring countries.
The operations also thwarted car smuggling attempts, with a total of six high-value vehicles worth E2,310,000 seized along border points.
Among these were a Toyota Legend 50 valued at E390,000, a Toyota Prado worth E380,000, a Toyota Fortuner valued at E450,000, a Land Cruiser worth E420,000, a Toyota GD6 valued at E450,000, and a GWM Bakkie worth E220,000.
Trade-related smuggling was also tackled, with undeclared items such as second-hand clothing, cigarettes, alcohol, electronics, and skin care products confiscated.
These goods, valued at E169,294.12, were handed over to the Eswatini Revenue Authority (ERS) for customs duties. Additionally, E43,180 in undeclared cash was intercepted and handed over to the ERS for proper declaration.
RELATED: Over E6m dagga handed to cops by the UEDF
The report highlighted the management of illegal immigration, with the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) intercepting 30 South Africans, 56 emaSwati, and three Mozambicans attempting to cross the border unlawfully.
Informal border crossings remained a pressing challenge, with 89,902 individuals entering Eswatini and 97,076 exiting through such routes.
Among those entering, 46,949 were females and 42,953 were males, while exits comprised 49,023 females and 48,053 males.
