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Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
THE South Africa Revenue Service (SARS) intercepted a consignment of cigarettes worth R8,9 million that were being smuggled into the neighbouring country through the Beitbridge border post in two trucks.SARS spokesperson Marika Muller said two men were arrested on Sunday afternoon and have been handed over to the police.
She said the two drivers tried to bribe customs officials with R18,900 soon after the contraband was discovered. It had already CLEARED the Zimbabwean side.
Muller added that the two had declared that the trucks were empty, before the contraband was found.
“We intercepted the duo as they were about to enter South Africa. We are yet to establish the final destination of the cigarettes and investigations are in progress. The two have been charged for smuggling and bribery and the police are now handling the matter,” she said.
Limpopo police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Ronel Otto confirmed the incidents, adding that she did not have sufficient details on the matter.
“The matter is under investigations by SARS,” she said. A senior police officer at Musina said the duo will appear in court today for a bail application.
SARS charges high rates on cigarette imports, which has resulted in a marked increase in cases of smuggling between Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Investigations by Chronicle reveal that most of these cigarettes are repackaged when they get to South Africa before being shipped to either Europe or Asia.
A carton of cigarettes is sold for an average of $100 on the official market in Zimbabwe, and at an equivalent of $250 in South Africa.
According to a report by SARS, the Beitbridge border post accounted for 70 percent of illegal tobacco in the neighbouring country last year.
derick.khumalo