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July 2011 Vol 35, Crime and Courts

Zimbabwe cigarette smuggling case on hold

By SAPA   Fri, Aug 12, 2011

Johannesburg - The trial of three people arrested for smuggling contraband cigarettes worth R2 million was postponed in the Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court on Friday, Limpopo police said.

Lieutenant Colonell Mohale Ramatseba said Brighton Abina, 24, Sixpense Taurai, 25, and Linda Mthimkhulu, 35, would appear in court again on August 18 for a bail application.

The three were arrested on Thursday morning by police in Makuya, near the Zimbabwean boarder.

A police patrol saw two trucks and tried to stop them. The trucks sped off, but police gave chase and stopped them after 15km.

"The two trucks were found fully loaded with smuggled cigarettes from Zimbabwe."

Provincial police chief Lieutenant General Amon Mashigo said there were more police officers in marked and unmarked vehicles to intercept illegal goods on provincial roads.

"Those who are transporting illegal items must now think twice as their days are numbered," Ramatseba said.

By SAPA

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