Polokwane shop owner arrested while loading illicit cigarettes
The man was nabbed outside his shop last week.
POLOKWANE – Two men will appear in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court today on charges relating to the possession of illicit cigarettes, which is in contravention of the Disaster Management Act after they were caught with illicit cigarettes.
In a statement, Police Spokesperson, Brig Motlefela Mojapleo said the two men were arrested by the Limpopo Highway Patrol Unit in separate operations which were conducted in the city from Thursday evening until the early hours of Friday.
A 36 year-old man was arrested in the central business district after the police stopped during a random stop-and-search operation.
During the search, police found packets of illicit cigarettes and the man was arrested on the spot.
The second arrest came after police found a shop owner loading cigarettes into his vehicle outside his shop in Church Street. He was also charged with bribery after he is said to have offered the officers R9 200 for his release, Mojapelo added.
The cigarettes in both incidents have a combined estimated street value of over R100 000 and were confiscated.
Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt Genl Nneke Ledwaba applauded the police on a job well done. Police investigation still continue.
