Limpopo – A 31-year-old South African man and a 28-year-old Zimbabwean national, who is in the country illegally, are expected to appear before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court today after being found in possession of illicit cigarettes and in contravention of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002.

According to the Spokesperson for the SAPS in the Limpopo Province Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba members of the Limpopo Tracking Team, Provincial Intervention Unit (PIU) and Tshimollo Security and Investigation acted on the intelligence about a vehicle ferrying illicit goods from Musina Beitbridge to Polokwane yesterday afternoon.

“A silver Toyota Corolla matching the description was spotted on the N1 North with two occupants including the driver. After a high-speed chase, it was intercepted near Mall of the North in the Polokwane town. A search uncovered 19 master cases and 47 cartons of Remington Gold (RG) illicit cigarettes with an estimated street value of R120 000,00,” he said.

“The vehicle was seized and will be forfeited to the State under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 29 of 2004,” said Brig Mashaba.

The Provincial Commissioner of police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has commended the success of the operation and excellent coordination members of the SAPS.