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Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
The 44-year-old Zimbabwean man who was recently caught smuggling a contraband of cigarettes worth R14 million into South Africa will make a formal bail application on February 6 at the Musina Magistrates’ Court in that country.
Jaint Janos Bimha was arrested on January 18 after he was allegedly found in possession of illicit cigarettes at the Beitbridge Border Post.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson for Limpopo Ms Mashudu Malabi Dzhangi said Bimha briefly appeared at the court on Monday.
Limpopo police spokesperson, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said Bimha was driving a white truck with a tanker trailer when he was stopped by the police at the port of entry.
The police searched the vehicle and it was discovered that the tanker was fully loaded with illicit cigarettes.
Bimba failed to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the cigarettes and he was arrested.
“We have since confiscated 710 boxes of illicit cigarettes with an estimated street value of R14 449 363,” said Brigadier Mashaba.
The smuggling of cigarettes has become a perennial headache for both Zimbabwe and South Africa and authorities are collaborating to curb the vice.
Indications are that at least one-third of cigarettes on the South African market are smuggled from Zimbabwe.
Online Reporter