Acting Police Commissioner Hails Volksrust Drug Lab Bust, Calls for Community Support

Volksrust, Mpumalanga – Acting Mpumalanga Police Commissioner Dr. Zeph Mkhwanazi has praised his members for their swift action in dismantling a R350 million crystal meth laboratory uncovered on a farm in Volksrust last week.

Speaking on Saturday, Mkhwanazi described the bust as one of the biggest in the province’s history, confirming that five suspects – four Mexican nationals in the country illegally and one South African – remain in custody following the raid.

READ: SAPS Dismantles R350 Million Crystal Meth Lab on Mpumalanga Farm, 5 Arrested

Two Suspects Still at Large

While the arrests marked a major breakthrough, two suspects escaped into nearby bushland during the operation. Police have since launched a manhunt and are calling on community members to provide any information that could lead to their capture.

“Our members were carrying out Operation Shanela 2 when they received a tip-off from the community. We acted immediately, and what we found confirmed this was a highly organized drug-manufacturing hub,” Mkhwanazi said.

Community Tip-Offs Key to Success

Authorities say the discovery was made possible through community cooperation, after residents reported unusual chemical smells coming from the property. Mkhwanazi emphasized the importance of public vigilance:

“Without the information from our communities, these criminal networks remain hidden. We encourage people to continue working with us so we can root out more drug syndicates across Mpumalanga.”

READ: KZN Farm Raid: Hawks Seize R30M Dagga, 6 Guns

Not the First Major Discovery

The Volksrust case comes just months after a similar drug lab was dismantled in Standerton in April, raising concerns that Mpumalanga is becoming a hotspot for international drug cartels. Experts warn that organized crime syndicates are increasingly targeting rural areas to set up drug labs, exploiting isolated properties while distributing narcotics nationwide and across borders.

Task Teams to Monitor Syndicates

Mkhwanazi confirmed that specialized task teams will be established to monitor and disrupt drug labs across the province, ensuring that Mpumalanga does not become a safe haven for international syndicates.

Next Steps

The arrested suspects are expected to face charges under both the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act and the Immigration Act. Police are also working to trace financial flows linked to the operation and to identify local collaborators. As the search continues for the two fugitives, authorities are urging anyone with information to contact police immediately.