Zim women caught smuggling R1m cigarettes into SA

Three Zimbabwean women involved in cross-border business were arrested in Sibasa in Limpopo Province, South Africa following the interception of their car loaded with boxes of cigarettes with a street value of R 1 million.

The cigarettes are believed to have been smuggled out of the country through undesignated entry points along the Limpopo River.

South African police spokesperson for Vhembe district, Major Mashudu Malelo said the suspects were arrested on Monday night following a tip-off.

"Our officers reacted to a tip-off and they quickly mounted a roadblock along the Sibasa-Thohoyandou road during which they intercepted a Toyota truck carrying more than 1 000 boxes of cigarettes worth R1 million. The cigarettes branded Remington Gold were concealed at the back of the vehicle.

"We suspect the cigarettes were smuggled into South Africa through undesignated entry points along the Limpopo River," he said.

Maj Malelo said the suspect would appear in court soon on charges of smuggling.

Of late there has been an increase in the number of cigarette smugglers being arrested in the neighbouring country.

Some of the cigarettes are smuggled out of the country through undesignated entry points along the crocodile infested Limpopo River while others find their way into South Africa through Beitbridge Border Post despite the presence of Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) scanners.

The machines are able to detect concealed goods hidden in sealed containers.