As part of their determined efforts to combat the illegal-cigarette-smuggling trade, members of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) in Limpopo made a significant breakthrough on Saturday, 25 February. They swooped on a farm between Musina and the Beitbridge Border Post, confiscating illegal cigarettes with a street value of more than R30 million. Five suspects were also arrested.
The discovery that led to the dismantlement and paralysing of one of the many cigarette-smuggling syndicates followed a tip-off that a large amount of cigarettes was being kept on the said farm, to be distributed throughout the country. A multi-disciplinary sting operation between the Hawks, the Limpopo South African Police Service, the South Africa National Defence Force and the South African Revenue Services was immediately conducted.
"When the team arrived at the identified farm, they found a truck and a tractor with trailer loaded with suspected illicit cigarettes that were covered with brick pallets. A preliminary investigation led to the discovery of a bakkie and another truck in the vicinity that were also fully loaded with suspected illicit cigarettes. The value of the seized suspected illicit cigarettes is over R30 million. The team worked throughout the night trying to safeguard the exhibit and locate the suspects," said Limpopo Hawks spokesperson Captain Matimba Maluleke.
The find eventually led to the arrest of five suspects aged between 26 and 44. They were charged with contravening the Customs and Excise Act and appeared in the Musina Magistrate's Court on Monday. The accused were identified as Manuel Mphephu (44), Gibson Machaha (37), Moses Matembdze (38), Asoith Rambuwani (26) and Swethani Mphephu (26). They were remanded in custody and their case was postponed to Friday, 3 March, for a formal bail application.
Following this success, the national head of the Hawks, Lieutenant-General Godfrey Lebeya, commended the team for their good work. "The DPCI shall continue to dismantle organised criminal groups that decide to operate anywhere in our jurisdiction," said Lebeya.