Chronicle Editor
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
SOUTH African authorities have intercepted a 20-year-old migrant who was transporting suspected smuggled cigarettes in the Zebediela area under Limpopo province on Tuesday following a high speed chase.
Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malasela Ledwaba confirmed the incident on Wednesday.
He said the man whose nationality is yet to be disclosed was found with a contraband worth an estimated R160 000 by the provincial ant—smuggling task team.
“The arrest follows a high-speed chase with the police on Tuesday morning, within the Zebediela policing area in the Capricorn district,” said Col Ledwaba.
“The members of the Provincial Anti-Smuggling Task team followed information about a Ford Ranger pick-up truck traveling from Musina loaded with illicit cigarettes. The vehicle was spotted near Bergenek, traveling at a high speed towards Zebediela.
The officers signalled for the driver to pull over, but the suspect accelerated, leading to a dangerous pursuit. The chase ensued over several kilometres, with police officers maintaining a coordinated effort to apprehend the suspect.”
He said the suspect ran out of luck when he lost control between Zebediela and Mokopane junction and stopped.
The driver jumped out and tried to evade the arrest but was swiftly apprehended.
Upon inspection, he said, the police officers discovered 26 boxes of suspected smuggled cigarettes concealed within the vehicle.
“The suspect did not possess a valid driver’s license and documents to be in the country. The cigarettes have an estimated street value of R160 000 and the vehicle was also seized as part of an investigation,” said Col Ledwaba.
“The suspect will be charged with smuggling illicit goods, reckless and negligent driving, driving a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license, and contravening the immigration Act. He will soon appear before Mokopane Magistrate’s Court.”
He said further investigations into the matter were underway.
The smuggling of cigarettes from Zimbabwe into South Africa through illegal crossing points along the Limpopo River is rife.
About 30 percent of cigarettes in South Africa are from Zimbabwe including Pacific, Remington gold, Mega, Dullahs, Branson and Servilles.
Ideally a box of cigarettes is bought at us$120 from local producers and sold for between us$250 and us$300 to the syndicates who then smuggle them into South Africa where they sell for anything above R15 000.
Those that illegally transport the commodity across borders are paid between R100 and R300 per box and in most cases this is done under the cover of darkness.
@tupeyo
Online Reporter