This is according to police spokesperson in the Northern Cape, Sergio Kock, who said that the arrest happened on Sunday around 14:30, after the police in the province followed up on information that the man would be in a taxi which was travelling to Kimberley.

The taxi was stopped at the Indian Centre in Kimberley, where police then searched the vehicle and found a box containing 334 khat plants, which are estimated to have a street value of about R16 700. The man was then arrested and will be appearing at the local court soon. He will face charges related to dealing in drugs.

Catha edulis is commonly known as Khat in South Africa and the leaves of the plant are commonly chewed by the people for its stimulant action. The plant is also a protected indigenous tree in South Africa. 

However, many users on social media have lashed out at the police in Kimberley for arresting the man who was in possession of the plant, with many debating that as the plant was found in its natural plant form, he cannot be charged with drug dealing or drug trafficking. 

This comes despite the police explaining that the plant is often turned into the drug khat.

OFM News