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Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
A 43-year-old Zimbabwean man has been arrested by the North West Provincial Anti-Corruption Investigating Unit (ACIU) in South Africa for allegedly trying to smuggle cigarettes worth more than R12 million into South Africa.
The man, Joseph Kusekwa, appeared at the Lehurutshe Magistrates’ Court on Friday where his case was adjourned for a formal bail application.
National Prosecution Authority spokesperson for North West Mr Henry Mamothame said Kusekwa was also an illegal migrant.
He said the man tried to smuggle the contraband on Friday last week through the Botswana and South African border at the Skilpadhek port of entry.
“Police reports revealed that the suspect, who is a truck driver, was from Botswana entering South Africa at Skilpadhek port of entry at approximately 6:40am during load-shedding,” he said.
“During load-shedding trucks entering or leaving the country cannot move owing to computers being off-line. So when a police officer on patrol along the border, saw the truck leaving the border, driving towards Zeerust, he informed his commander and the truck was chased and stopped before it reached Zeerust.
“The driver was ordered to drive back to Skilpadhek port of entry where an inspection of the truck and its load was done by the police and customs officials.
“It was discovered that the truck was carrying crates of cigarettes which the driver failed to declare at customs, valued at R12 868 509.00. The driver was immediately arrested and charged with possession of illicit cigarettes.”
Mr Mamothame said a police officer who had allowed the truck to leave the border, was being investigated and charges of defeating the ends of justice could be added when the investigations are concluded.
The case had been handed over to the North West specialised police, the Hawks for further investigations and that the suspect will remain in police custody until the next court appearance.
Recently, a 45-year-old Zimbabwean man was jailed for an effective five years in South Africa for smuggling a contraband of cigarettes worth over R300 000.
Oliver Mupanga was sent to prison when he appeared at the Senwabarwana Regional Court where he was convicted.
He was sentenced to direct imprisonment for possession of illicit cigarettes and entering South Africa without a valid passport.
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. The difference in excise duties on tobacco are so vast that even cigarettes brought retail in Zimbabwe can be sold at a huge profit in South Africa, even with the discount needed to attract buyers.
A crate of cigarettes bought in Zimbabwe at US$120 from local producers can be sold for between US$250 and US$300 to the syndicates who then smuggle them into South Africa where they can sell for anything above R15 000.
Those that illegally transport the commodity across borders are paid between R100 and R300 per crate and in most cases this is done under the cover of darkness.
Online Reporter