Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, [email protected]
South Africa’s specialised crime police, the Hawks have secured a court order to forfeit cash R4 Million and five vehicles which were used to transport smuggled cigarettes from Zimbabwe in that country around Limpopo province.
The vehicles include; two by Polo Vivo, one Mitsubishi Colt, one Isuzu KB and a commercial truck and its trailer.
Hawks spokesperson for Limpopo province, Captain Lethunya Mmuroa said the affected vehicles were seized during police operations conducted at various areas, including Nebo, Makhado, Beitbridge Port of Entry, Pienaarsrivier and Mogwadi.
He said the drivers and / or owners of the vehicles were involved in offenses of transportation of illicit cigarettes, illegal possession of explosives, illegal possession of chrome, and dealing in drugs.
“The Acting Provincial Head of the Hawks in Limpopo Province Brigadier Desmond Alexander applauded the Hawks Asset Forfeiture Investigation and the National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit for successfully securing orders for vehicles used as instrumentalities for various crimes,” said Captain Mmuroa.
“This is emanating from the recent forfeiture orders where five vehicles which were used during the commission of crime were granted. The affected vehicles were seized during police operations conducted at various areas, including Nebo, Makhado, Beitbridge Port of Entry, Pienaarsrivier and Mogwadi.
“The Polokwane based Hawks Asset Forfeiture Investigation was tasked to handle the investigations for the seized properties. After the finalization of the investigation, the cases were submitted to the Asset Forfeiture Unit of the National Prosecuting Authority for drafting of court order”.
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 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 depending on the brand.
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.
Already, South Africa’s tax watchdog, Tax-Justice SA has called for border authorities between Zimbabwe and South Africa to double their efforts in fighting the smuggling of tobacco and related products between the two countries.
