SA police bust 20 year old Zim cigarette smuggler

Zim Now Writer

A high-speed chase on Tuesday morning led to the arrest of a 20-year-old migrant suspected of cigarette smuggling, Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malasela Ledwaba confirmed.

The dramatic scene unfolded in the Zebediela policing area of Capricorn District when the provincial anti-smuggling team spotted a Ford Ranger pick-up truck, believed to be carrying illicit cigarettes from neighboring Zimbabwe. Officers signaled for the driver to pull over, but instead, they were met with a dangerous pursuit that stretched for several kilometers.

The chase reached its climax at the Zebediela and Mokopane junction, where the suspect lost control of the vehicle. Though he attempted to escape on foot, he was swiftly apprehended by the authorities. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a hidden stash of 26 boxes of smuggled cigarettes.

The suspect, whose nationality remains undisclosed, is expected to appear before the Mokopane Magistrate's Court soon. This incident highlights the ongoing battle against cigarette smuggling between Zimbabwe and South Africa. The Limpopo River, which forms part of the border, is a notorious route for these illegal activities. Estimates suggest that a staggering 30% of cigarettes consumed in South Africa originate from Zimbabwe.

The allure of profit is a significant driver of this smuggling. Local Zimbabwean producers can sell a box of cigarettes for US$120, while smuggling syndicates pay roughly US$250. Once these cigarettes reach South Africa, they are then sold for a premium, fetching prices exceeding R15,000 per box.