Limpopo, two men, aged 34 and 59, were arrested for possession of illicit cigarettes on Wednesday, 22 November 2023, in Giyani. The Provincial VISPOL Task Team, acting on intelligence about the storage of illicit cigarettes, executed the operation leading to the arrests.

According to South African Police Service, Members of the police team seized approximately 431 boxes of illicit cigarettes, valued at an estimated R200,000. The seizure included cigarettes found at one of the suspect’s apartments and an undisclosed amount of money, believed to be proceeds from the illegal trade.

The suspects are due to appear before the Giyani Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 24 November 2023. Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, the SAPS Limpopo Provincial Commissioner, expressed satisfaction with the ongoing efforts to combat the illegal cigarette trade in the province.