Soldiers of the General De La Rey Regiment deployed under Joint Tactical Headquarters KwaZulu-Natal intercepted a vehicle carrying dagga near Nthuthuko Village in Pongola.[1] During a night patrol along the border with eSwatini, soldiers from Platoon 1’s Bravo Section observed a speeding white Hyundai bakkie approaching a standing stop-and-search checkpoint.[1] The driver accelerated and attempted to run over members of the South African National Defence Force when ordered to stop.[1]

Led by section leader Lance Corporal Machete, the patrol chased the vehicle and temporarily incapacitated it to halt its flight.[1] The driver abandoned the bakkie and fled on foot into the village.[1] A search of the vehicle uncovered bales of dagga weighing 514 kilograms, which authorities valued at an estimated R2,950,000.[1] The Hyundai bakkie was impounded by authorities at an estimated value of R450,000.[1]

The cross-border patrol formed part of ongoing military operations to prevent international crime along South Africa’s border with eSwatini.[1] The platoon operated under the overall command of Lieutenant Colonel Moyo, who had assumed command of the KwaZulu-Natal operational area on 19 June 2026.[1]