Zim man in court for allegedly smuggling R14m cigarettes into SA

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A 44-year-old Zimbabwean man is set to apply for bail on 6 February at the Musina Magistrate’s Court in South Africa after being caught smuggling contraband of cigarettes worth R14 million into the country.

Arrest for Cigarettes Smugling

Jaint Janos Bimha was arrested on January 18 at the Beitbridge Border Post when authorities discovered illicit cigarettes concealed in a tanker trailer he was driving. According to Mashudu Malabi Dzhangi, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Limpopo, Bimha briefly appeared in court on Monday.

Discovery of Contraband

Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba confirmed that Bimha was transporting the contraband in a white truck with a tanker trailer. When stopped at the border, police searched and found 710 boxes of illicit cigarettes with an estimated street value of R14,449,363.

Authorities immediately took Bimha into custody after he failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the cargo.

Ongoing Efforts to Combat Smuggling

“The smuggling of cigarettes has become a significant challenge for both Zimbabwe and South Africa, prompting increased collaboration between authorities to curb the illegal trade,” said Brigadier Mashaba.

Reports indicate that at least one-third of the cigarettes sold on the South African market originate from Zimbabwe through smuggling networks. The case has further highlighted the ongoing efforts to combat illicit trade along the border.