NOORDWESTER – WOLMARANSSTAD - A Zimbabwean, Gordon Sibanda (42) is expected to make a second appearance before the Leeudoringstad Periodical Court, for bail application on Tuesday, 10 June, following his first court appearance on Wednesday, 4 June, before the Wolmaransstad Magistrate’s Court.
The accused who is facing a charge of illegal possession of illicit cigarettes, was arrested on Monday, 2 June, after the truck he was driving was stopped and searched by the police between Leeudoringstad and Orkney.
They found to be transporting 169 boxes of Chief and Remington cigarettes, all with an estimated value of R850 000.
The accused was immediately 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 that this arrest is yet another breakthrough in the fight against the threat of illicit economy that impedes economic growth and violates the territorial security of the Republic of South Africa (RSA) where illicit goods are smuggled, distributed and sold in violation of customs, tax, health, safety and economic laws of South Africa. “It is deeply concerning that the accused and his illicit cargo were only intercepted far away from the Port of Entry where he should have been thoroughly checked and processed. The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) must thoroughly investigate how the accused managed to enter the country with these cigarettes which should have been detected at the border and should it be found that he was either aided by corrupt officials or that there was negligent dereliction of duty, the culprits must be held to account”, he concluded.
