Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
A 56-year-old Zimbabwean man has been sentenced to an effective 13 years in prison in South Africa after he was caught transporting illicit cigarettes worth R360 000 (about US$22 000) from Musina to Gauteng province, amid an intensified crackdown on cross-border tobacco smuggling syndicates.
Toni Nathaniel Gumbo was convicted by the Polokwane Commercial Crimes Court on charges of contravening South Africa’s Immigration Act and possession of illicit cigarettes.
Gumbo was arrested in February this year while travelling along the R516 Highway in a white Ford Ranger carrying the consignment.
Limpopo police spokesperson, Colonel Malasela Ledwaba, confirmed the sentence that was handed down on Wednesday last week.
Col Ledwaba said members of the Provincial Tracking Team received intelligence on February 11 at around 8:30pm about a white Ford Ranger allegedly transporting illicit cigarettes from Musina to Gauteng.
“Acting swiftly on the intelligence, the operational team intercepted the identified vehicle along the R516 road in the Tuinplaas policing area. Upon stopping and searching the vehicle, police discovered 36 master boxes of Remington Gold cigarettes concealed inside the boxes,” he said.
Gumbo was immediately arrested after police recovered the cigarettes, which had an estimated street value of R360 000.
The matter was assigned to Sergeant Sello Mokwele of the Provincial Tracking Team for further investigations.
Col Ledwaba said Gumbo received five years’ direct imprisonment for possession of illicit cigarettes and a further eight years for contravening the Immigration Act.
“The sentences on count one and count two will not run concurrently. Gumbo will serve thirteen years of direct imprisonment and the motor vehicle utilised in the commission of the crime was also forfeited to the State,” he said.
Meanwhile, Limpopo police have arrested two more suspects, aged 26 and 33, in connection with another cigarette smuggling operation involving contraband worth approximately R600 000.
The suspects are expected to appear before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on charges of possession of illicit cigarettes.
Col Ledwaba said members of the Limpopo Flying Squad under the Capricorn District arrested the pair during an intelligence – driven operation conducted between Thursday evening and Friday morning.
Police reportedly received information about a white MAN refrigerated truck allegedly transporting illicit cigarettes along the N1 Polokwane bypass.
“The vehicle was subsequently intercepted at the R101 Shell Ultra City filling station. Upon searching the truck at the police station, police discovered 102 boxes of Remington Gold cigarettes with an estimated street value of approximately R600 000,” said Col Ledwaba.
“The truck allegedly used in the commission of the offence was also seized and the two male suspects were immediately arrested for possession of illicit cigarettes.
“The suspects are expected to appear before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court soon and police investigations are continuing.”
Authorities say the growing demand for Zimbabwean tobacco products in neighbouring countries has fuelled the emergence of organised smuggling syndicates that illegally move cigarettes across borders.
The illegal trade has also been attributed to South Africa’s high excise duties on tobacco products, which make legal cigarette imports expensive and less competitive.
