Northern Cape Hawks spokesperson Nomthandazo Mnisi tells OFM News the state is opposing bail for the trio, who will remain in police custody until their next court appearance, where they will apply for bail. 

The men, Sabelo Mthethwa, Joseph Phello and David Phahlamolaka were arrested by the Hawks on Monday, June 24, after the directorate’s investigative unit stopped and raided the Intercape bus they were travelling in, finding drugs worth R 3,4 million. 

Mnisi says the Hawks pulled the passenger bus over outside Upington after receiving information it was being used to transport drugs. Intercape has since confirmed they alerted authorities after receiving an anonymous tip regarding the drugs on one of their coaches. 

“During a disruptive operation by the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigating Unit, the assortment of drugs that includes dagga, tik (crystal meth) and mandrax tablets were recovered during a search and seizure operation” says Mnisi. 

It is still unknown if the trio forms part of a syndicate or not. 

The bus line says legally they cannot confirm if indeed Phello and Phahlamolaka are their employees, but they maintain that an internal investigation into the matter will be conducted.

“As an organisation and as a good corporate citizen Intercape has never and will never condone any illegal action in our organisation and on our coaches,” reads the company’s response to OFM News’ list of questions. 

The bus line is also mum on internal investigations into the drug discovery in Bloemfontein back in March. 

‘We can confirm that Intercape did conduct its own internal investigation and acted according to our Company Disciplinary Code and policies. Due to legislation and privacy of the parties, we will not divulge any further information on the internal investigation and the subsequent outcome of same in a public forum”. 

OFM News