Thamaga man denies cannabis charge after 47kg seizure
Boineelo Rebaone Baakisi, 34, of Thamaga, has pleaded not guilty to unlawful possession of cannabis after police allegedly found 47.3 kilograms of the drug in his vehicle. Baakisi pleaded not guilty when he appeared before the Kanye Magistrates' Court recently. He is accused of unlawfully possessing 47.3kg of cannabis at Mokatako village in the Southern Administrative District on May 21, 2025.
The state alleges that Baakisi, who was not authorised, licensed or exempted to deal with illicit substances, was found in possession of the drugs, contrary to the provisions of the Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, read together with the Medicines and Related Substances Act.
In court, Baakisi, who is represented by attorney Yandani Boko, entered a plea of not guilty. The prosecution alleges that the accused was caught red-handed while driving a vehicle loaded with the cannabis.
The proceedings also drew attention outside the courtroom after police officers were seen offloading six large bags believed to contain the alleged cannabis from their vehicles.
The bags appeared extremely heavy as they were carried into court as exhibits.
Following the plea, Senior Magistrate Keneilwe Kgoadi directed the prosecution to ensure that all exhibits, including the vehicle allegedly used to transport the drugs, are produced before the court when the matter proceeds to trial.
The case has been set down for trial on November 30 and December 1, 2026.