Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
Five members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), including a female soldier, along with two undocumented Zimbabwean nationals, are expected to appear before the Musina Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
They face charges of corruption, possession of smuggled cigarettes, unlawful discharge of a firearm, defeating the ends of justice, contravention of the Immigration Act, unlawful possession of ammunition, and impersonating military officials.
In a statement, Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said the suspects, aged between 26 and 42, were arrested on Tuesday during a joint operation by the SAPS Limpopo Beitbridge Task Team and Military Intelligence.
He explained that their arrest followed an incident at Artonvilla, along the first Malaladrift road near the Limpopo River, where they allegedly conspired to intercept and steal a consignment of cigarettes being smuggled into South Africa.
Brigadier Mashaba said that during the operation, shots were reportedly fired, forcing the smugglers to abandon 24 boxes of cigarettes.
“Six boxes were later recovered inside a temporary military camp, resulting in the arrest of the SANDF members. Further investigations led to follow-up operations at several houses in Matswale, Musina. At Phase 12, police recovered eighteen rounds of live ammunition, six 303 rifle rounds and two pairs of SANDF uniforms,” he said.
“At another residence in Matswale Extension 9, police arrested two more suspects after recovering three 9mm live rounds and two pairs of SANDF uniforms. In Matswale Phase 9, a further suspect was arrested after being found in possession of one live 9mm round.”
It is understood that South African customs laws are restrictive for Zimbabwean exporters to legally move cigarettes from Zimbabwe into that country, leading to a surge in smuggling of various brands.
In most cases, these cigarettes are smuggled through the Limpopo River, while others attempt to cross at the border. Those using the Limpopo River often engage in gang fights with rivals, sometimes involving the use of firearms.
Indications are that at least one-third of cigarette brands on the South African market are smuggled from Zimbabwe, including Pacific, Remington Gold, Mega, Dullahs, Branson, and Servilles.
