Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
Cigarette smuggling syndicates are now turning to the South Africa and Botswana border to avoid the Beitbridge Border Post, where authorities from Zimbabwe and South Africa have increased surveillance and are cracking down hard on the rackets.
However, South African police have become extra vigilant at the Groblersbrug border, where they intercepted a load of Zimbabwean cigarettes worth R1, 4 million that were loaded in a Zimbabwean truck.
It is understood that the syndicates are now using empty trucks transiting through the country to load the loot and these go through the Plumtree border (Zimbabwe) via Botswana where they exit into South Africa via the Groblersbrug following an arrest.
Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malasela Ledwaba said three migrants whose nationality will be revealed when they appear in court were arrested on Tuesday around 6pm with a contraband of Remington Gold cigarettes.
“Members of the South African Police Service stationed at Groblersbrug Port of Entry arrested three male foreign nationals, aged between 24 and 42, for allegedly attempting to smuggle illicit cigarettes valued at R1.4 million on the evening of Tuesday,” he said.
“The suspects were apprehended at approximately 18:00 hours after police stopped a white Volvo truck towing two white flatbed trailers, traveling from Zambia. During a routine inspection, officers identified suspicious modifications to a side-mounted toolbox beneath one of the trailers.
“Upon further examination, the toolbox revealed a hidden compartment. Inside, officers uncovered 49 sealed boxes containing a total of 2,450 cartons of illicit Remington Gold cigarettes. The estimated value of the seized contraband is R1.4 million”.
Col Ledwaba said the truck and trailers, valued at approximately R800,000, were also confiscated as part of the investigation.
He said the trio will soon appear at the Phalala Magistrate’s Court facing charges related to the smuggling of illicit goods.
“Investigations are ongoing to determine the origin and intended destination of the seized contraband,” he added.
The smuggling of cigarettes from Zimbabwe into South Africa through illegal crossing points along the Limpopo River is rife.
It is understood that 30 percent of cigarettes in South Africa are from Zimbabwe including Pacific, Remington gold, Mega, Dullahs, Branson and Servilles.
