Cape Town – A 44-year-old Zimbabwean national was arrested by the North West Provincial Anti-corruption Unit for attempting to smuggle illicit cigarettes valued at over R12 million.
The man, who worked as a truck driver, was apprehended at the Skilpadshek border gate between South Africa and Botswana.
The arrest occurred when a police official patrolling the border noticed the truck leaving during load shedding, a time when trucks are not allowed to enter or leave the country due to offline computers at port entries.
“It is alleged that a police official, who was patrolling along the border, saw the truck leaving the border, driving towards Zeerust. Reports suggest that the member informed his commander and the truck was chased and stopped before it reached Zeerust.
#sapsNW North West Provincial Anti-Corruption Investigating Unit (ACIU) apprehended a 44-year-old man for allegedly trying to smuggle illicit cigarettes worth more than R12 million on Friday, 21 July 2023. NPhttps://t.co/vHjA1RPZym pic.twitter.com/hSS21sRvwM
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) July 23, 2023
“The driver was ordered to drive back to Skilpadshek port of entry. SARS and Customs members were requested to inspect the truck and boxes of cigarettes, which the driver failed to declare at customs, were discovered inside the truck to the value of R12 868 509.00,” police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Funani said.
The driver was arrested and charged with possession of illicit cigarettes.
He is scheduled to appear in court in Lehurutshe Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
The police official who allowed the truck to leave during load shedding is under investigation and may face charges for defeating the ends of justice.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: Twitter/@SAPoliceService
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
