Swazi Observer

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COPS BUST TWO DAGGA DEALERS WITH E195 200 IN FAKE NOTES

By Sifiso Nhlabatsi | 2018-09-25

It was raining alcohol in Mankayane when two alleged dagga dealers hit town carrying counterfeit money amounting to E200 000 which was in South African currency.

The alleged dagga dealers Fanele Jele (27) from Pongola in South Africa and Mthembeni Simelane (25) of Hlatikulu are said to have arrived in the country coming from South Africa with the purpose of buying dagga using the counterfeit money.

It is said when they arrived at Mankayane over the weekend, they were in a partying mood as they started buying alcohol in large quantities from various bars around the small town.

It is said the two went on with their drinking spree and spent about E1 000 on alcohol in bars such as Emvuleni and Sondelani.

It is said they also used the same money to hire a taxi which was to take them to a place where they were going to relax.

However, it is said upon discovering that there was counterfeit money which was making rounds around bars in Mankayane, it wasn’t hard to figure out who was behind this as the two were the only people who were using South African notes of R200 to buy alcohol in large quantities as they would sometimes fork out about E400 to buy liquor.

The accused were eventually tracked down by the police and when they were apprehended, police found E195 200 in R200 notes.

Information gathered is that the two made it clear that they were destined for Northern Hhohho where they were going to use the counterfeit money to buy dagga.

Reliable sources revealed that it is a norm for dagga dealers to try and defraud each other during dealings by using counterfeit money when buying dagga. It alleged that most of the fake South African notes come from Nhlazatje area in South Africa and is usually bought at quarter the value.

appearance

After their arrest, Jele and Simelane made their first court appearance at the Manzini Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Mthokozisi Dlamini. The accused, according to the court record, face a criminal offence of contravening Section 3 (1) (c as) read with Section 2 (a) of the Counterfeit and Currency Order of 1974 in that they were found carrying counterfeit notes amounting to R195 200 in cash.

During their court appearance, prosecutor Fakazi Mngomezulu informed the accused that they would be going back to police custody until Friday, pending setting of a trial date.

Mngomezulu further informed the court that bail is opposed since one of the accused persons was facing a second offence, which is that of contravening the Immigrations Act since he was in the country illegally.

The magistrate informed the two that they would be remanded back into police custody and would appear at the Mankayane circuit court on the said date.

Information gathered from some kombi conductors is that the issue of counterfeit notes is causing a real headache as they from time to time come across fake money which is being used by customers to pay for their trips, especially in the evenings.

This issue has been reported to be rife at Pigg’s Peak and this money is mostly in R200 or R100 denominations.

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