Lentswe, Leeudoringstad - A 42-year-old Zimbabwean, Gordon Sibanda, was expected to appear in court again this week to apply for bail. He appeared in the Wolmaransstad Magistrate’s court on June 4. The accused who is facing a charge of illegal possession of illicit cigarettes, was arrested on June 2, after the truck he was driving was stopped and searched by the police at the Leeudoringstad /Orkney Road and found to be transporting 169 boxes of Chief and Remington cigarettes, all with an estimated value of R850 000.
He was arrested and both the truck and the illicit cigarettes were confiscated by the police.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of North West, Major General Patrick Asaneng said it is concerning that the accused and his illicit cargo were not intercepted at the port of entry where he should have been thoroughly checked and processed. He asked that the Hawks thoroughly investigate how the accused managed to enter the country with the cigarettes which should have been detected at the border.
“Should it be found that he was either aided by corrupt officials or that there was negligent dereliction of duty, the culprits must be brought to book.”
