BY THEMBA ZWANE
MBABANE – The Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) has intercepted 51 goats valued at E61 200 in three separate incidents as livestock smuggling to South Africa continues along the Kingdom’s border lines.
The UEDF said the interceptions were made on Sunday, August 16, 2026, during patrols and a vehicle checkpoint in the Shiselweni Region.
The largest consignment involved 23 goats valued at E27 600, which troops intercepted at Sivule at about 8:21am. The goats were allegedly being transported to South Africa in a white Ford Ranger.
Two suspects, a 63-year-old South African man and a 60-year-old Liswati woman, were arrested and handed over to the relevant law enforcement authorities together with the vehicle and livestock.
Later at about 3:06pm at Hluthi, UEDF troops operating a vehicle checkpoint intercepted another consignment of 20 goats valued at E24 000. Three emaSwati men were arrested in connection with the alleged attempt to smuggle the livestock into South Africa.
A third interception occurred at Makholweni at about 7:25pm, where troops stopped a 24-year-old South African man who was driving eight goats valued at E9 600 towards the border without a Stock Removal Permit.
Altogether, the three incidents resulted in the interception of 51 goats worth E61 200.
16.8KG OF DAGGA SEIZED
The UEDF also reported the seizure of 16.8kg of dagga with a combined estimated street value of E16 800 in three separate incidents.
At Nsubane in the Lubombo Region on August 14, troops intercepted a white Opel Corsa carrying 5.1kg of dagga valued at E5 100. Two emaSwati men were arrested.
On the same day at Hluthi, troops intercepted another suspect carrying 1.85kg of dagga valued at E1 850.
The third incident occurred at Nsubane on August 5, when troops intercepted a 30-year-old Liswati man carrying 9.85kg of dagga valued at E9 850 without a permit.
The three seizures bring the total amount of dagga intercepted in the incidents to 16.8kg, with an estimated combined street value of E16 800.
The UEDF said all suspects, vehicles, livestock and dagga consignments were handed over to the relevant law enforcement agencies for further investigation.
The defence force expressed concern over the continued smuggling of livestock and dagga along the Kingdom’s border lines, particularly into South Africa.
The Office of the Commander-UEDF also thanked members of the public for assisting the defence force in combating criminality and urged continued cooperation.
The UEDF further cautioned members of the public against engaging in criminal activities along the Kingdom’s borders, while commending its troops for their continued efforts to protect and defend Eswatini.
#Eswatini #UEDF #LivestockSmuggling #DaggaSmuggling #BorderSecurity #Crime #Shiselweni #Lubombo
