BEITBRIDGE – SOUTH African Police Service (SAPS) on Thursday seized R9
million worth of cigarettes smuggled into that country from Zimbabwe.
SAPS Media and Liaison Office in Polokwane said the cigarettes were carried in a
truck cornered during a high speed car chase.
Suspects abandoned their vehicle and took to the bush on foot and police are
making follow up operations, said the communique released late on Thursday night.
Police were performing crime prevention duties when they spotted a suspicious
white Isuzu truck with Gauteng registration numbers driving at a high speed along
Tshipise and suddenly drove towards Nzhelele Dam gravel road. The members gave
chase until they managed to stop the truck on the N1 road next to Mutumba River.
“The two occupants managed to jump from the vehicle and evaded arrest. The truck
was searched and 368 master boxes of Remington Gold illicit cigarettes were found
loaded into the truck and they were confiscated as well as the truck," SAPS said.
"Our ongoing efforts to tackle the illicit trade in tobacco products within our
community are paying off and we remain committed to addressing this issue head-
on. The swift action of this team of members is also highly commendable," the
communique said quoting Limpopo Province SAPS Commander, Lieutenant General
Thembie Hadebe.
It said a manhunt for the individuals involved in the distribution and sale of these illicit
cigarettes is now underway and that police are determined to bring those responsible
to justice.
"Anyone with information about the suspects can contact Colonel Bez Bezuidenhout
on 0027082 414 8474 or the Crime Stop hotline number on 00278600 10111 or the
nearest Police Station," SAPS said.