Mbabane – The Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) says it confiscated more than 510 kilograms of dagga worth over E510 000 and arrested three Eswatini nationals during separate operations in the Shiselweni Region, while also intercepting four Zimbabwean nationals attempting to enter the country illegally through the Eswatini-South Africa border.
In a statement, the UEDF said the operations form part of ongoing efforts to curb dagga smuggling and illegal border crossings, warning that crossing into or out of the country is only lawful through designated border gates and posts.
The defence force said although there are recognised informal crossing points for residents living along the border to access essential services, these are not intended to be used to bypass official ports of entry.
The first seizure was made on 23 June 2026 at about 6am at Mashayineni in the Lushikishini area, Shiselweni, where soldiers conducting a mounted vehicle checkpoint stopped an orange Nissan Murano.
The vehicle was driven by Thabiso Myolwa (31) of Luve, Mbelebeleni in the Manzini Region, who was travelling with Patrick S. Mbatha (34), also from Luve, Mbelebeleni.
A search of the vehicle uncovered nine bags of dagga weighing 107.1 kilograms, with an estimated street value of E107 100.
The Nissan Murano, registration FSD 286 CH, together with the two suspects and the dagga, was handed over to the relevant law enforcement authorities for further investigation.
About an hour later, at around 7am at the same checkpoint in Mashayineni, troops stopped a white Toyota Hilux GD-6, registration PSD 187 DH, driven by Mxolisi Mnisi (44) of Maguga in the Hhohho Region.
The vehicle was found carrying 22 bags of dagga weighing 403.2 kilograms, with an estimated street value of E403 200.
The suspect, vehicle and consignment were also handed over to law enforcement authorities for further investigations.
The two operations resulted in the seizure of 31 bags of dagga weighing a combined 510.3 kilograms, with a total estimated street value of E510 300.
In a separate incident on 25 June 2026 at about 5:37pm, UEDF soldiers on patrol intercepted four Zimbabwean nationals at Sivule in the Lubombo Region as they allegedly attempted to enter Eswatini illegally from South Africa.
The four were handed over to the relevant authorities.
The UEDF said dagga continues to be smuggled across Eswatini’s borders, with much of it destined for South Africa. It added that troops remain deployed along the country’s borders to combat smuggling, illegal crossings and other cross-border crimes.
The Office of the Commander of the UEDF thanked members of the public who provide information to security forces, saying community cooperation has assisted efforts to combat criminal activities along the country’s borders.
The Commander also warned against engaging in illegal activities along Eswatini’s border lines and commended soldiers for their continued work in protecting the country’s territorial boundaries.
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