News / National
R14 million Zimbabwe cigarettes intercepted at SA border
3 hrs ago | Views
South African authorities have apprehended a 44-year-old migrant at the Beitbridge border post after intercepting a consignment of illicit Remington Gold cigarettes valued at an estimated R14 million. The suspect, whose nationality remains undisclosed, is alleged to have smuggled the cigarettes from Zimbabwe.
The arrest highlights the ongoing struggle faced by both Zimbabwean and South African authorities in curbing the smuggling of cigarettes and other contraband across their shared border.
In a statement on Monday, Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba confirmed that the arrest occurred on Saturday. The suspect, driving a white truck with a tanker trailer, was stopped at the border. While initially claiming the truck was empty, a search conducted at the commercial ramp zone revealed it was fully loaded with 710 boxes of Remington Gold cigarettes.
The contraband, with an estimated street value of R14,449,363, was confiscated along with the truck and trailer, valued at R2.5 million. The suspect failed to provide documentation to validate the cigarettes' origin and was arrested on-site.
Limpopo Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe commended the officers for their vigilance, saying, "This arrest demonstrates the commitment of our law enforcement teams in combating illicit smuggling activities that harm our economy."
The suspect is expected to appear at the Musina Magistrate's Court soon, facing charges of smuggling illicit goods.
The smuggling of cigarettes from Zimbabwe into South Africa has become a persistent issue, with restrictive customs regulations for Zimbabwean exporters fueling the illegal trade. Brands like Remington Gold, Pacific, Mega, Dullahs, Branson, and Servilles dominate the black market, accounting for nearly a third of all cigarettes sold in South Africa.
The lucrative trade often sees syndicates purchasing a box of cigarettes in Zimbabwe for approximately USD 120 and reselling it for USD 250–300. In South Africa, the same box can fetch over R15,000. Transporters, many of whom operate under the cover of darkness, are reportedly paid R100–300 per box for smuggling the goods across borders.
While some smugglers navigate the Limpopo River, others take their chances at official border posts like Beitbridge, where increased enforcement has led to notable arrests, such as this weekend's bust.
South African and Zimbabwean authorities continue to collaborate to address the smuggling crisis, which poses economic and security challenges for both nations. However, the scale of operations by syndicates indicates that more resources and cross-border initiatives may be necessary to curb the illicit trade effectively.
Further details about the suspect and the smuggling network are expected to emerge following the court proceedings.
The arrest highlights the ongoing struggle faced by both Zimbabwean and South African authorities in curbing the smuggling of cigarettes and other contraband across their shared border.
In a statement on Monday, Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba confirmed that the arrest occurred on Saturday. The suspect, driving a white truck with a tanker trailer, was stopped at the border. While initially claiming the truck was empty, a search conducted at the commercial ramp zone revealed it was fully loaded with 710 boxes of Remington Gold cigarettes.
The contraband, with an estimated street value of R14,449,363, was confiscated along with the truck and trailer, valued at R2.5 million. The suspect failed to provide documentation to validate the cigarettes' origin and was arrested on-site.
Limpopo Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe commended the officers for their vigilance, saying, "This arrest demonstrates the commitment of our law enforcement teams in combating illicit smuggling activities that harm our economy."
The suspect is expected to appear at the Musina Magistrate's Court soon, facing charges of smuggling illicit goods.
The smuggling of cigarettes from Zimbabwe into South Africa has become a persistent issue, with restrictive customs regulations for Zimbabwean exporters fueling the illegal trade. Brands like Remington Gold, Pacific, Mega, Dullahs, Branson, and Servilles dominate the black market, accounting for nearly a third of all cigarettes sold in South Africa.
The lucrative trade often sees syndicates purchasing a box of cigarettes in Zimbabwe for approximately USD 120 and reselling it for USD 250–300. In South Africa, the same box can fetch over R15,000. Transporters, many of whom operate under the cover of darkness, are reportedly paid R100–300 per box for smuggling the goods across borders.
While some smugglers navigate the Limpopo River, others take their chances at official border posts like Beitbridge, where increased enforcement has led to notable arrests, such as this weekend's bust.
South African and Zimbabwean authorities continue to collaborate to address the smuggling crisis, which poses economic and security challenges for both nations. However, the scale of operations by syndicates indicates that more resources and cross-border initiatives may be necessary to curb the illicit trade effectively.
Further details about the suspect and the smuggling network are expected to emerge following the court proceedings.
Source - the herald
