Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
A 52-YEAR-OLD Zimbabwean man, Desperate Chinomona, has been fined R1,5 million for smuggling illicit cigarettes from Zimbabwe to South Africa.
The Giyani Specialised Commercial Crime Court ruled on Friday that he will be spend an effective 5 years in jail if he fails to pay the fine.
Chinomona was arrested in April while driving a commercial truck from Zimbabwe to South Africa through the Beitbridge Border Post.
He was carrying a contraband of 343 boxes of cigarettes and 82 bricks worth R11,6 million, including levies and penalties.
Chinomona was arrested on April 13 by the specialised police, the Hawks. The Hawks’ spokesperson for Limpopo province, Warrant Lethunya Mmuroa, said the truck, a Volvo and the tobacco were forfeited to the State as part of the sentence.
“On the day in question, a Physical Inspector of Cargo Division attached to the South African Revenue Service (SARS) in the Beitbridge Port of Entry stopped a driver of a Volvo truck with two trailers at the Port of Entry (PoE). The truck was coming from Zimbabwe to South Africa,” he said.
“The Inspector searched and inspected that truck. While busy searching the truck, he discovered that the lengths of the containers from inside to outside were not equal.
“He then called the police attached to PoE for assistance. A thorough search was conducted. During the search, the team discovered illegal self-made compartments on both containers.
“Such compartments were forcefully removed, and 343 Master boxes, 82 loose cartoons of illicit cigarettes called Remington Gold valued at R11 591 038 were found inside the compartments.”
The official said a case docket was opened and Chinomona was charged with smuggling of illicit cigarettes.
The case was then handed over to the Musina-based Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team.
He said the accused made his first appearance at Musina Magistrates’ Court on April 14 2025.
The matter was later transferred to the Giyani Specialised Commercial Crime Court, where he was convicted and fined.
“The recovered illicit cigarettes and a Volvo truck, two trailers, and two containers used in the commission of crime were forfeited to the State. Furthermore, the accused was declared unfit to possess a firearm,” said the official.
The smuggling of cigarettes between Zimbabwe and South Africa has become a perennial headache for security officials in both countries who periodically carry out joint patrols to reduce the crime along the border.
