Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
A ZIMBABWEAN truck driver has been fined R10 million or sentenced to five years in prison after being convicted of smuggling illicit cigarettes worth more than R10.4 million into South Africa through the Beitbridge Border Post.
The Giyani Magistrates Court convicted Godknows Mangani Demanyundo (54) on Tuesday, following his arrest on June 10, 2025.
Demanyundo was caught transporting contraband Chelsea cigarettes concealed inside a tanker during routine cargo scanning operations at the Musina-Beitbridge Port of Entry.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) spokesperson for Limpopo province, Colonel Avele Fumba, said the conviction followed a joint operation involving the South African Revenue Service (SARS), South African Police Service (SAPS), Border Management Authority (BMA), Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) and the Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team in Musina.
“A SARS cargo analyst detected suspicious images during routine scanner analysis and alerted the team leader, who notified SAPS. A joint physical inspection by SAPS and BMA officials uncovered 500 master boxes, seven cartons and six packets of Chelsea cigarettes valued at over R10.4 million,” he said.
Col Fumba said LCRC members documented the exhibits for evidential purposes, while SAPS arrested Demanyundo before the Hawks took over the investigation and compiled evidence that led to his conviction.
“In addition to the fine, the illicit cigarettes, together with the truck and tanker trailer used to transport the consignment, were forfeited to the State. Demanyundo was also declared unfit to possess a firearm,” he said.
The case comes amid intensified joint operations by security agencies in Zimbabwe and South Africa to curb smuggling through illegal crossing points along the Limpopo River and at the Beitbridge Border Post.
Periodic joint patrols, intelligence sharing and cargo scanning technology have become key tools in efforts to combat the illicit movement of cigarettes, liquor, groceries and second-hand clothes across the border.
The illegal trade deprives governments of potential revenue and can fuel organised criminal activity.
In Limpopo province alone, authorities have recorded more than 10 cigarette-smuggling or interception cases since January 2026, with reported consignments valued at between about R40 000 and R25 million per incident.
Cigarette smuggling remains attractive to criminal networks because of the potential profits from avoiding taxes and duties imposed on legally imported products.
South Africa’s large consumer market, combined with enforcement challenges along the border, makes it a lucrative destination for illicit cigarette consignments.
Legal cigarette imports are subject to applicable taxes and duties, including excise duty, value-added tax and import duties. Smugglers who evade these charges can sell products at lower prices while maintaining profit margins, putting legitimate traders at a disadvantage.
