LIMPOPO – Three men who were arrested for corruption and defeating the ends of justice re-appeared before Tshilwavhusiku Magistrate’s Court today (8 December).
The trio were arrested by Makhado and Tshilwavhusiku police on 3 December in connection with the smuggling of illicit cigarettes with an estimated street value of almost R10 million into South Africa.
In court today, the 36-year-old Sars official was once again denied bail and his bail application will continue when he appears again with his two accomplices on 14 December, says Police Spokesperson, Col Moatshe Ngoepe. His two accomplices, aged 19 and 64, are still out on R2 000 bail each.
7 December
LIMPOPO – Police Spokesperson, Col Moatshe Ngoepe says the three men appeared in the Tshilwavhusiku Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 4 December. Two men were granted R2 000 bail, while the Sars official was denied bail. The trio will appear again on 8 December.
5 December
LIMPOPO – A SARS custom official (36) and his two accomplices, aged 19 and 64, have been arrested by Makhado and Tshilwavhusiku police, for corruption and defeating the ends of justice.
Police Spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo says the trio were arrested at 03:00 on Thursday, 3 December.
“The concerted efforts by members of the South African Police Service in Limpopo to fight the smuggling and dealing in illicit cigarettes have paid off. Makhado police were performing patrol duties when they noticed a truck driving at a high speed along the N1 road and tried to stop it,” Mojapelo’s statement read.
The driver sped off and backup was called in, in the form of Tshilwavhusiku SAPS members.
“Police received information from a tracking company about a hijacked truck, matching the same description, heading towards the Tshilwavhusiku area. The said truck was later found abandoned at Magau area,” he added.
The truck was searched and boxes of illicit cigarette with an estimated street value of almost R10 million were confiscated.
“Police then began with initial investigations and a manhunt soon followed for the suspects involved. Later in the afternoon, the SARS custom official came to Tshilwavhusiku police station alleging that he was on duty and the truck and the luggage had been cleared at the Beitbridge Border Gate. The other suspects also came in and informed the police that they are the owners of the truck,” Mojapelo explained.
They were arrested and will appear in the Tshilwavhusiku Magistrate’s Court soon facing charges of corruption and defeating the ends of justice.
The origin and destination of the recovered items will be determined by the ongoing police investigations, Mojapelo concluded.
