Three Zimbabwean nationals have been convicted and handed fines totalling R1.705 million after they were found transporting illicit tobacco products worth more than R4.5 million in Musina, Limpopo.

The convictions were secured by the Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation (SCCI) team in Musina following a joint operation involving the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) under Operation Vala Umgodi.

The trio, Wesley Chikombe, 34, Stephen Nkandla and Nyere Oswell, were arrested on 25 September 2024 after members searched a truck in Musina and discovered 500 master boxes and 12 cartons containing assorted Hubbly Bubbly tobacco products.

The tobacco consignment could not be properly accounted for or declared, prompting further investigation.

According to the Hawks, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) assessed the value of the seized consignment at R4 571 872.50.

The case was subsequently handed over to the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team in Musina, which pursued the matter through the criminal justice system.

On Wednesday, 9 September 2026, the Musina Regional Court convicted all three accused of contravening the Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964.

Chikombe was sentenced to fines totalling R705 000, while Nkandla and Oswell were each fined R500 000.

The three were therefore ordered to pay a combined R1.705 million in fines, with imprisonment imposed as an alternative should they fail to pay.

The court further ordered that the illicit tobacco products and the vehicle used to transport the consignment be forfeited to the State.

All three accused were also declared unfit to possess a firearm licence in terms of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000.

Limpopo Provincial Head of the DPCI, Major General (Adv.) G Govender, commended the Hawks’ Musina team for ensuring that the investigation continued beyond the initial seizure and ultimately resulted in convictions.

“A seizure disrupts an illicit operation, but a conviction delivers the consequence that follows unlawful conduct,” Govender said.

He also praised the SANDF, SAPS and SARS for their cooperation, saying their combined efforts contributed to the detection, investigation and successful prosecution of the case.