FREE STATE – Members of the General Botha Regiment deployed under Operation Corona have recorded several successes in the province, including the seizure of more than 100 kg of suspected marijuana and the recovery of a stolen municipal vehicle.

During a night operation at Tsupane, members of Platoon 1’s Charlie Section attempted to stop a suspicious vehicle. The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot, leaving behind six black bags containing suspected marijuana.

Four suspects who later arrived at the scene to collect the drugs were arrested after allegedly attempting to bribe the soldiers.

The suspects and the seized drugs were handed over to the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Wepener for further investigation. The suspected marijuana weighed approximately 101,65 kg.

In a separate incident, the Charlie Section received information from a Wepener SAPS constable about a municipal bakkie that had allegedly been stolen in Bloemfontein and was travelling towards Lesotho through Tsupane Gate.

SANDF members, working with SAPS officials, located the vehicle and attempted to stop the suspect. The suspect allegedly tried to evade arrest before abandoning the vehicle during the ensuing pursuit and fleeing towards Lesotho.

According to the General Botha Regiment, the suspect allegedly fired a firearm into the air while making his escape.

The recovered vehicle was identified as belonging to the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality in Bloemfontein. It was towed to the Wepener SAPS station for further investigation.

The incidents highlight the ongoing efforts by the SANDF and SAPS to combat crime and strengthen border security under Operation Corona.

The regiment also stressed the importance of cooperation between the two law-enforcement agencies in responding to criminal activity and protecting South Africa’s borders.

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