A group of 12 suspects from Mexico, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa are expected to return to court on 22 May 2026 to formally apply for bail after being arrested at an alleged drug manufacturing facility worth an estimated R100 million.
Authorities say the suspects were arrested during a major operation targeting what is believed to be a sophisticated drug production site, where illegal substances with an estimated street value of R100 million were allegedly being manufactured.
Those arrested include six Mexican nationals:
- Fabian Astorga
- Jesus Alonso
- Medina Astorga
- Luis Alberto Ramirez Rios
- Jose Andres Medina
- Jacquelin Lopez Madrid
Two Mozambican nationals were also arrested:
- Ismael Afiado Massingue
- Lourenco Constantino Cumbane
One Zimbabwean national:
- Tobias Soyani
And three South Africans:
- Tyron John Schutte
- Kyle Schutte
- Vusi Amos Mkambi
The accused are facing charges linked to the manufacturing and dealing of drugs, with investigations continuing into possible links to organised crime syndicates operating across borders.
The case is expected to draw significant attention due to the involvement of foreign nationals and the scale of the alleged drug operation.
