LIMPOPO- Hawks welcomes the sentencing of two illicit cigarettes smugglers by Mawhelereng Regional Court.
Collen Mkandla (43) a Zimbabwean national and Lovers Chauke (35) were stopped by the police who were patrolling in Tomburke area on 21 of January 2012. The police searched their Nissan Hardbody and found Illicit Remington Gold cigarettes to the value of R178 794.00 and arrested them.
A thorough investigation was conducted and it culminated in a successful conviction of the duo. Both Mkandla and Chauke have appeared in the Mawhelereng Regional Court on Friday 27 January 2017 and they were sentenced as follows:
Count 1:Contavention of section 80 (1) of the Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964
– Fined ten thousand rand (R10 000) or two (2) years imprisonment.
Count 2: Contravention of section 3 (7) of the Tobacco Control Act 83 of 1993,
Selling or importing of illicit cigarettes for subsequent sale
– Fined ten thousand rand (R10 000) or two (2) years imprisonment.
Count 3: Contravention of section 3 (b) (ii) of the Prevention and Combatting of
Corrupt Activities Act
– Fined three thousand rand (R3 000) or one year imprisonment.
The vehicle Nissan Hardbody which was used in the commission of crime was forfeited to the state. We believe that the sentence will send a strong message to illicit cigarettes smugglers that their days are numbered.
