馃嚳馃嚘South AfricaSouthern Africa
Hawks and Customs seize R36 million in cocaine at Durban Harbour
via The Citizen1 min read
South African authorities, including the Hawks and Customs officials, intercepted 90 kilograms of suspected cocaine valued at R36 million at Durban Harbour on Saturday, June 6, 2026. The operation involved the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation's Serious Organised Crime Investigation's South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau, Customs, Durban Visible Policing Operations, and the Local Criminal Record Centre. The drugs were discovered concealed within two excavators that arrived from Santos, Brazil, aboard the vessel Neptune Ace Tokyo. Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale stated that a Customs official alerted SANEB members to suspicious packages in the first excavator, leading to the discovery of 47 blocks of suspected cocaine. A subsequent inspection of a second excavator, already offloaded, revealed an additional 43 blocks. The total seizure amounts to approximately 90 kilograms, with an estimated street value of R36 million. No arrests have been made, and investigations are ongoing. The seized substances will undergo chemical analysis at the Forensic Science Laboratory. Acting Provincial Head Brigadier Zenobia Mulligan commended the team, reaffirming DPCI's commitment to disrupting transnational drug trafficking and protecting South Africa's ports.
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The Western Cape High Court in Cape Town is scheduled to deliver its ruling on Friday, 24 July 2026, regarding President Cyril Ramaphosa's urgent application to halt the Section 89 impeachment proceedings. Ramaphosa filed the application pending a review of the Section 89 Independent Panel report. This follows a Constitutional Court ruling in May that sent the panel's report on the Phala Phala scandal back to parliament, allowing an impeachment process to proceed. The independent panel, appointed in November 2022 and led by former chief justice Sandile Ngcobo, found prima facie evidence that Ramaphosa may have violated sections 962a of the constitution and 341 of PRECCA, related to a burglary at his Phala Phala game farm in February 2020. Ramaphosa has taken this report on review, with a hearing set for 2 to 4 September. Meanwhile, Parliament's Impeachment Committee is set to meet on Wednesday, awaiting the court's judgment. Chairperson of the Impeachment Committee, Makashule Gana, stated that the committee will continue its work until a court orders otherwise, noting that the preparatory work, including the appointment of evidence leaders and preparation of witnesses, is not being interdicted. The National Assembly adopted amended rules last month to govern the 31-member impeachment committee investigating allegations against Ramaphosa concerning the 2020 theft of foreign currency from his farm.
At a seminar hosted by the Independent Electoral Commission IEC in Pretoria, Dr. Ben Roberts from the Human Sciences Research Council HSRC stated that South Africans have historically voted based on loyalty rather than issues, despite corruption being a significant concern. However, he noted a growing fluidity in voting patterns, with a degree of swing voting emerging, which the IEC should monitor. Former statistician-general Pali Lehohla emphasized the importance of ongoing national conversations about South Africa's future, supported by data, to empower citizens in shaping their political manifestos. The IEC is also implementing new strategies, including a show on SABC, music, and engaging influencers, to encourage young people to register and vote. As of the end of June, over 28.6 million South Africans, approximately 60% of the adult population, have registered to vote.
The trial of 62 individuals accused in connection with the deadly July 2021 unrest in KwaZulu-Natal KZN has been postponed after several defendants were left without legal representation. The case resumed in the Durban High Court on Monday, July 20, 2026, but proceedings could not begin as attorneys for some accused withdrew. The court ordered the affected accused to apply for legal aid immediately. The National Prosecuting Authority NPA spokesperson, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, stated that the State was ready to proceed with five witnesses available to testify. The matter has been postponed to July 27, 2026, for Legal Aid to provide an update on appointing legal representatives. The accused face charges including incitement to commit public violence, incitement to commit terrorism, conspiracy to commit public violence, conspiracy to commit murder, terrorism, sedition, and public violence. The July 2021 riots, which resulted in over 350 deaths in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, were triggered by the arrest of former president Jacob Zuma for contempt of court. The unrest led to the closure of shops and factories, with an estimated economic cost exceeding R50 billion. Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, former president Jacob Zuma's daughter, also faces charges of incitement to commit terrorism and public violence, to which she has pleaded not guilty. The State alleges she used her X account to incite violence and looting. A social media law expert testified in November that Zuma-Sambudla's posts w