News / National
Zimbabwean man's R14 million cigarette smuggling case in SA
28 Jan 2025 at 06:58hrs | Views
The case against a 44-year-old Zimbabwean man, Jaint Janos Bimha, who was recently arrested for smuggling Remington Gold cigarettes worth R14 million into South Africa, has been postponed for formal bail application. The hearing is scheduled for February 6 at the Musina Magistrates' Court in Limpopo province.
Bimha was apprehended on January 18, 2025, at the Beitbridge Border Post after authorities discovered a concealed load of illicit cigarettes in his tanker truck. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson for Limpopo, Ms. Mashudu Malabi Dzhangi, Bimha made a brief court appearance on Monday, during which the case was postponed.
Limpopo police spokesperson, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba, detailed the arrest, stating that Bimha had been driving a white truck with a tanker trailer. When stopped at the port of entry, he claimed the vehicle was empty. However, police grew suspicious and directed the truck to the ramp zone for inspection.
"Upon searching, we discovered the tanker was fully loaded with illicit Remington Gold cigarettes," Brigadier Mashaba said. "The suspect failed to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the origin of the cigarettes and was arrested on the spot."
Authorities confiscated 710 boxes of Remington Gold cigarettes, with an estimated street value of R14,449,363, as well as the truck tanker, valued at R2,500,000.
The smuggling of cigarettes remains a persistent challenge for both Zimbabwean and South African authorities. Observers note that South Africa's stringent customs laws make it difficult for Zimbabwean exporters to legally transport cigarettes across the border, leading to increased illicit activity.
Many smugglers use the Limpopo River as a route to avoid detection, while others attempt to pass through border checkpoints. Reports indicate that up to a third of cigarette brands on South Africa's market are smuggled from Zimbabwe, with brands like Pacific, Mega, Dullahs, Branson, Servilles, and Remington Gold being the most common.
Authorities in both countries continue to collaborate to curb the smuggling of cigarettes and other contraband, but the illegal trade remains a lucrative and challenging issue to tackle.
Bimha was apprehended on January 18, 2025, at the Beitbridge Border Post after authorities discovered a concealed load of illicit cigarettes in his tanker truck. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson for Limpopo, Ms. Mashudu Malabi Dzhangi, Bimha made a brief court appearance on Monday, during which the case was postponed.
Limpopo police spokesperson, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba, detailed the arrest, stating that Bimha had been driving a white truck with a tanker trailer. When stopped at the port of entry, he claimed the vehicle was empty. However, police grew suspicious and directed the truck to the ramp zone for inspection.
"Upon searching, we discovered the tanker was fully loaded with illicit Remington Gold cigarettes," Brigadier Mashaba said. "The suspect failed to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the origin of the cigarettes and was arrested on the spot."
The smuggling of cigarettes remains a persistent challenge for both Zimbabwean and South African authorities. Observers note that South Africa's stringent customs laws make it difficult for Zimbabwean exporters to legally transport cigarettes across the border, leading to increased illicit activity.
Many smugglers use the Limpopo River as a route to avoid detection, while others attempt to pass through border checkpoints. Reports indicate that up to a third of cigarette brands on South Africa's market are smuggled from Zimbabwe, with brands like Pacific, Mega, Dullahs, Branson, Servilles, and Remington Gold being the most common.
Authorities in both countries continue to collaborate to curb the smuggling of cigarettes and other contraband, but the illegal trade remains a lucrative and challenging issue to tackle.
Source - online
