Update
GEORGE NEWS - Five suspects who were arrested on charges of dealing in illicit drugs and contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, appeared for their pre-trial in the George Circuit High Court on Monday 21 August.
The case was however postponed to 8 September in Thembalethu, as the accused's legal representation still needs to be finalised.
At the moment, legal aid is provided to them by Legal Aid SA and the legal aid attorneys will stay on record for the accused until they secured their attorney from Gqeberha.
Lindela Lofani (44), Hlalanathi Lofani (46), Bongani Kenny Mgqatse (51) and Someleze Nkawule (32) were released on bail ranging from R3 000 to R6 000 earlier last year. Simphiwe September Fakilahle (48) has been in custody since his arrest. A sixth accused, Mzimasi Lofani (41), passed away due to natural causes in 2022.
Lindela and Hlalanathi were arrested in Thembalethu on 31 January. Mgqatse was arrested in Gqeberha on the same day and Nkawule was arrested in Thembalethu a day later than his alleged accomplices.
Fakilahle was arrested in Queenstown on Thursday 10 March and did not apply for bail, as he is already involved in another pending case.
Their arrests came after an intelligence-driven operation conducted by the Hawks teams from George and Gqeberha, George K9 unit, Public Order Policing Southern Cape and Oudtshoorn.
Someleze Nkawule, Simphiwe September Fakilahle, Bongani Kenny Mqgatse, Hlalanathi Lofani and Lindela Lofani.
The group was allegedly sourcing cannabis from rural villages in the Eastern Cape to distribute it in Southern Cape outlets.
The combined value of the sourced cannabis is believed to be millions of rands. The case serves in front of Judge Derek Wille. Advocate MP Heyns is acting for the state and the accused's new representation still has to come on record.
Previous articles:
- Illicit drug dealing case postponed to next year
- Alleged dope dealers' pre-trial next year
- Alleged dop dealers' pre-trial postponed
- Sixth arrested in suspected drug cartel
- Sixth suspect caught in drug smuggling operation
- Bail for alleged smugglers
- Hawks nab four for smuggling drugs
- Alleged drug smugglers behind bars
