Mbabane – Two men from Siteki were arrested at the Ngwenya Border Gate for allegedly carrying 43.3 kilograms of dagga without a valid permit.
Fana Maziya, 41, and Sandziso Dlamini, 34, were charged under Section 12(1)(a) as read with Section 12(1)(c)(i) of the Pharmacy Act No. 38 of 1929, as amended. The incident occurred on January 13, 2026, when the men were stopped during a routine vehicle inspection at the border in the Hhohho Region.
Constable Msebenzi Mamba, on duty at the border, told the court that the men were travelling in a silver-grey Ford Everest SUV with South African registration JND 394 EC. After confirming their travel documents were valid, the officers sought consent to search the vehicle, which the men granted.
During the search, 26 blocks of dagga, weighing a total of 43.3 kilograms, were found concealed under the seats and wrapped in brown cellotape. The dagga was seized, samples were taken for forensic testing, and the men were arrested without the use of force.
The Crown argued that the accused possessed a large quantity of dagga without a licence. The defence countered that the State did not prove ownership or control beyond a reasonable doubt, noting that mere presence in the vehicle was not sufficient for conviction.
Maziya told the court he was a first-time offender, a builder, and father of four children relying solely on him. Dlamini was acquitted and discharged.
The court ruled that the prosecution failed to link the men to the dagga and imposed a fine of E7,000 on Maziya, with a five-year prison term in default of payment. The seized dagga will be confiscated and destroyed by the state.
Discussion about this post