The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has commended the collaboration between police and rural safety structures following the discovery of an abandoned vehicle loaded with dagga worth an estimated R2.6 million.
According to a police statement, the Waterburg District Police, Waterburg Rural Safety, and private security companies acted on intelligence regarding three vehicles transporting dagga along the R33 route between Vaalwater and Modimolle on Saturday, 14 February 2026, at approximately 16:30.
Authorities received information about a white Toyota Fortuner and two Toyota Hilux GD6 bakkies traveling from Gauteng Province towards the Modimolle N1 northbound.
An operation was activated, and vehicles matching the description were spotted in Vaalwater traveling at high speed. Police attempted to stop the vehicles, but the drivers fled. A lookout was activated with the assistance of private security companies, leading to the interception of a charcoal Toyota Hilux bakkie.
Upon interception, the suspects abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot into the surrounding bushes. A search of the vehicle revealed eight bags of dagga, with an estimated street value of R2.6 million. The vehicle has been seized for further investigation.
No arrests have been made at this stage. Police have launched a manhunt for the suspects.