Zimbabweans busted in South Africa with R5 million...

Zimbabweans busted in South Africa with R5 million in smuggled cigarettes

Philemon Jambaya

Two Zimbabwean men, Charles Kanhema, 27, and Leo Tafireyi, 37, are behind bars facing charges of smuggling cigarettes worth a staggering R5 million (approximately US$340 000) after their arrest near Lephalale, Limpopo Province.

“The arrests were effected in the early hours of Sunday, 25 February 2024 during a well-coordinated operation conducted by SAPS members derived from various units assisted by private security companies and CPF members, who acted on actionable intelligence regarding two vehicles transporting illicit cigarettes en route to Lephalale” said South African Police Service Limpopo spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba.

The vehicles were intercepted between Marken and Baltimore and police discovered full loads of Zimbabwean-made cigarettes with an estimated street value of R5 million, resulting in the arrest of both drivers.

“Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant -General Thembi Hadebe applauded this team for the excellent work,” Ledwaba continued. “She indicated that investigations are ongoing to unravel the extent of the network and to identify additional individuals involved in these illegal operations.”

Kanhema and Tafireyi appeared before the Phalala Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, February 27, and were denied bail. As reported by Ledwaba: “Their case was postponed to 8 March 2024 for profiling and further investigation.”