Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
A 56-year-old Zimbabwean man has been sentenced to an effective 13 years in prison for smuggling cigarettes worth R360 000 into South Africa, as authorities intensify efforts to dismantle cross-border tobacco smuggling syndicates.
The Polokwane Commercial Crimes Court convicted Toni Nathaniel Gumbo on charges of contravening the Immigration Act and possession of illicit cigarettes.
He was arrested in February this year while travelling from Musina to Gauteng Province along the R516 highway in a Ford Ranger carrying the contraband.
Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malasela Ledwaba confirmed the sentence, which was handed down last Wednesday.
He also disclosed that police arrested two more suspects on Friday in connection with the smuggling of cigarettes worth R600 000 into South Africa.
The suspects are expected to appear before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court facing charges of illegal possession of illicit cigarettes.
Providing details of Gumbo’s arrest, Col Ledwaba said members of the Provincial Tracking Team received intelligence on February 11 about a white Ford Ranger allegedly transporting illicit cigarettes from Musina to Gauteng at around 8:30pm.
“Acting swiftly on the intelligence, the operational team intercepted the identified vehicle along the R516 road in the Tuinplaas policing area,” he said.
“Upon stopping and searching the vehicle, police discovered 36 master boxes of Remington Gold cigarettes concealed inside the vehicle.”
Gumbo was immediately arrested after police recovered the cigarettes, which had an estimated street value of R360 000.
“The case was assigned to Sergeant Sello Mokwele of the Provincial Tracking Team for further investigations,” said Col Ledwaba.
According to the police, Gumbo received five years’ imprisonment for possession of illicit cigarettes and eight years for contravening the Immigration Act.
“The sentences will not run concurrently, meaning Gumbo will serve an effective 13 years’ direct imprisonment,” said Col Ledwaba.
“The motor vehicle used in the commission of the offence was also forfeited to the State.”
Col Ledwaba said law enforcement agencies were intensifying operations against the illegal trade in tobacco products, which continues to cost Zimbabwe and South Africa millions of dollars annually in lost revenue.
In a separate operation, members of the Limpopo Flying Squad under the Capricorn District arrested two men aged 26 and 33 during an intelligence-led operation conducted between Thursday evening and Friday morning.
Police had received information about a white MAN refrigerated truck allegedly transporting illicit cigarettes along the N1 Polokwane bypass.
“The vehicle was intercepted at the R101 Shell Ultra City filling station,” said Col Ledwaba.
“Upon searching the truck at the police station, officers discovered 102 boxes of Remington Gold cigarettes with an estimated street value of approximately R600 000.”
The truck allegedly used in the smuggling operation was also seized.
“The two suspects were immediately arrested for possession of illicit cigarettes, and investigations are continuing,” he said.
The strong demand for Zimbabwean tobacco and related products across the region has fuelled the growth of organised smuggling syndicates operating between Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Industry experts say high excise duties on tobacco products in South Africa have also contributed to the rise in illegal cigarette smuggling.
