By Rex Mphisa
POLICE in Polokwane, South Africa, have arrested an unidentified 28-year old Zimbabwean man and his 31-year old South African colleague for allegedly smuggling locally made cigarettes worth R120 000 into that country.
The pair is expected in court soon and the Zimbabwean will face another charge of violating SA’s Immigration laws having entered that country illegally.
In a police press release, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said the pair was arrested on the N1 north after a high speed car chase.
“A 31-year-old South African male and a 28-year-old Zimbabwean national, who is in the country illegally, are expected to appear before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 27 August 2025. They were arrested for dealing in illicit cigarettes and contravention of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002 following a successful Anti-Smuggling Operation,” SAPS said in a statement.
“On Tuesday morning, 26 August 2025, members of the Limpopo Tracking Team, Provincial Intervention Unit (PIU) and Tshimollo Security and Investigation acted on intelligence about a vehicle ferrying illicit goods from Beitbridge to Polokwane.”
The car, a silver Toyota Corolla matching the description, was spotted on the N1 North and after a high-speed chase, intercepted near Mall of the North where a search uncovered 19 master cases and 47 cartons of Remington Gold illicit cigarettes with an estimated street value of R120 000,00.
Police seized the vehicle and will recommend its forfeiture to the State under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 29 of 2004.
“The Provincial Commissioner of police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has praised the operational success and excellent coordination,” said the statement signed by Colonel Malesela Ledwaba.