Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
SECURITY agents from Zimbabwe and South Africa are not relenting in their fight against the smuggling of cigarettes between the two countries, which results in losses mostly in excise revenue on export or import levies.
On the South African side of the Limpopo River, police are collaborating with private and community security teams to fight smuggling, while in Zimbabwe, security officials are conducting a blitz on smuggling activities through a multi-agency joint task force led by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
The smuggling of cigarettes from Zimbabwe into South Africa through illegal crossing points along 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.
Those who 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.
Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malasela Ledwaba said they are making great progress in smashing the smuggling syndicates and that early this week they arrested two Zimbabwean men with a contraband of cigarettes worth nearly R200 000 in the Tzaneen area.
“A well-coordinated anti-smuggling operation conducted by the Limpopo Tracking Team, supported by Tshimollo Security and Investigation and Shadow Secure Security, has led to the arrest of two suspects and the seizure of illicit cigarettes valued at approximately R180 000,” said Col Ledwaba.
“Intelligence was received about two white Toyota Corolla Quests transporting illicit Remington Gold cigarettes from Musina to the Tzaneen area. The operational teams immediately activated an observation plan along the R36 route.
“The suspects’ vehicles were later spotted driving towards the Tzaneen industrial area. When the teams attempted to intercept them, both drivers sped off in the direction of the Tzaneen Sasol garage. A chase ensued, and the vehicles were ultimately cornered near the Sasol Industrial area.”
He said upon searching the vehicles, the police discovered that both were loaded with Remington Gold cigarettes, resulting in the arrest of the two Zimbabweans, aged 37 and 48.
The suspects are expected to soon appear before the Tzaneen Magistrate’s Court on charges of possession of illicit cigarettes.
Col Ledwaba said further investigations into the matter were ongoing.
