Cape Town – Soccer legend Mike Mangena has been granted R50 000 bail after he and three other suspects appeared briefly in the Randfontein Magistrates Court earlier on Monday.
They were charged with manufacturing drugs at a drug lab situated on a property owned by Mangena. The co-accused have been denied bail and will remain in custody until their next court appearance on February 21.
The football commentator was detained by police for questioning after a raid on a drug lab on property owned by the former striker.
According to reports, the 54-year-old handed himself in after a drug lab producing mandrax was discovered in Randfontein, Johannesburg.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Lungelo Dlamini confirmed that the former Kaizer Chiefs and Moroko Swallows striker had been taken into custody after a police crime intelligence investigation led to the raid.
"The multi-disciplinary team observed the smallholding for a period of time, until they were satisfied that they had enough evidence to apply for a search warrant," Police spokesperson Colonel Brenda Muridili told News24.
"The search warrant was effected in the early hours of this (Wednesday) morning and the team discovered a steel shed full of chemicals and machines used to manufacture mandrax as well as a truck containing liquid chemicals.
"The forensic science laboratory crime scene investigators are currently at the scene collecting evidence. The value of the clandestine drug laboratory will be determined by forensics as soon as they are done with their analysis," she said.
Muridili said police initially found three men at the premises when they arrived and the men claimed to be looking after livestock.
They claimed they didnt know what was happening at the smallholding. The owner was called and later arrested.
