Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
Security agents from South Africa and Zimbabwe are continuing with their fight against the smuggling of cigarettes between the two countries, which is threatening revenue collection by authorities.
In the latest incident, police in Limpopo, South Africa, on Sunday intercepted a 40-year-old suspect with contraband smuggled from Zimbabwe in the Mopani policing area.
The suspect, whose nationality is yet to be revealed, is believed to be part of the many tobacco products dealing rackets operating in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Limpopo police spokesperson, Colonel Malasela Ledwaba, said the police have redoubled efforts to contain the crime that has become perennial.
“A 40-year-old male foreign national suspect will make his appearance before the Hlanganai Magistrate’s Court soon on charges of possession of illicit cigarettes.
On Sunday, July 6 2025, during the day, members of the Mopani task team were busy executing their duties when they pounced on a foreign national shopkeeper (tuckshop) in Nkuzana village, Hlanganani, who was suspected of selling illegal cigarettes.
“The members searched the premises. During the search, boxes of illicit cigarettes were confiscated with a street value of R13 700. The suspect was immediately placed under arrest for possession of illegal cigarettes,” said Col Ledwaba.
It is understood that 30 percent of cigarettes in South Africa are from Zimbabwe, including Pacific, Remington Gold, Mega, Dullahs, Branson and Servilles.
Online Reporter