TWO Zimbabweans have been remanded in custody in neighbouring South Africa in connection with the smuggling of cigarettes worth R5 million.
The two identified as Charles Kanhema and Leo Tafireyi were arrested near Lephalale, Limpopo province, on Sunday by South African Police Service (Saps) members.
In a media statement on Wednesday, Saps Limpopo spokesman Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said Kanhema and Tafireyi were remanded in custody by the Phalala Magistrate's Court in Witpoort outside Lephalale.
"Their case was postponed to March 8, 2024 for profiling and further investigation," said Ledwaba.
"The arrests were effected in the early hours of Sunday, February 25, 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.”
Vehicles carrying the contraband were intercepted between Marken and Baltimore where police discovered loads of Zimbabwe-made cigarettes with an estimated street value of R5 million.
"The Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has applauded this team for the excellent work. She indicated that investigations are ongoing to unravel the extent of the network and to identify additional individuals involved in these illegal operations," said Ledwaba.
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