Picture: The truck with illicit cigarettes at the Skilpadhek Port of Entry/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
A 44-YEAR-OLD man is set to appear at Lehurutshe Magistrate’s Court on Monday for allegedly trying to smuggle illicit cigarettes worth R12 million. According to the North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col, Amanda Funani, on Friday, a truck driver who is a Zimbabwean national, was allegedly seen leaving the Skilpadhek Port of Entry at around 6:40am during load shedding.
“A truck driver was from Botswana. Trucks entering/leaving the country are not allowed to do so during load shedding at the Port of Entries, since computers are off-line. It is alleged that a police official, who was patrolling along the border, saw the truck leaving the border, driving towards Zeerust.
“Reports suggest that the police officer informed his commander and the truck was chased and stopped before it reached Zeerust. The driver was ordered to drive back to Skilpadhek Port of Entry,” Funani said.
She further said, SARS and Customs members were requested to inspect the truck. Funani added that boxes of cigarettes, which the driver failed to declare at customs, were discovered inside the truck to the value of R12 868 509.
“The driver was arrested and charged with possession of illicit cigarettes. He is expected to appear in Lehurutshe Magistrate’s Court today.
“The police official, who allowed the truck to leave the border is being investigated and charges of defeating the ends of justice could be added when the investigations are concluded,” she said.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated the North West Provincial Anti-Corruption Investigating Unit for the sterling job and for making sure that the suspect was arrested. Kwena said, corrupt police officers will not be tolerated and face the full might of the law.
“Lastly, I would like to applaud the police officer, who reported the incident to his commander. The case was handed over to the North West Hawks for investigations,” said Funani.
The Guardian 