BARBERTON - The court case of a police constable of Barberton SAPS was postponed to January 21.

Const Bhekumuzi Evans Dhlamini (27) appeared before the Barberton Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, facing charges of defeating the ends of justice and dealing in dagga.

He had been arrested by the South Africa’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in Mbombela.

According to Capt Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi, the Hawks’s provincial spokesperson, Dhlamini allegedly hired some men to smuggle dagga from the Kingdom of eSwatini to South Africa.

It is alleged that on April 12, Dhlamini was found transporting two men in possession of dagga in his private vehicle.

“The two men had been arrested for being in possession of dagga by the Josefsdal police, and were released for no apparent reason. Further investigations were conducted to establish the relationship between the constable and the two suspects as well as his involvement in the matter, which then linked him to the crime scene,” said Sekgotodi.

She said the Department of Justice then issued a warrant of arrest to summon Dhlamini to court.

The Barberton Magistrate’s Court released Dhlamini on R1 000 bail pending his next court appearance.

Editor: Anchen Coetzee
Written by: Richard Nkosi
Subeditor: Wahl Lessing