A 44-year-old Zimbabwean man, Bimha Jaint Janos, is facing serious legal trouble following his arrest on January 18, 2025.
He has been charged with possession of illicit cigarettes after authorities discovered a staggering R14 million worth of contraband in his possession.
According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Mashudu Malabi Dzhangi, Janos was apprehended while entering South Africa through the Beitbridge border.
Police, suspicious of his White Volvo truck, conducted a routine inspection and uncovered an astounding haul: 710 master boxes, six cartons, and eleven loose packets of Remington Gold cigarettes.
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Following this discovery, Janos was taken into custody.
His court proceedings have been postponed until January 27, 2025, to allow time for the profiling of his records and consideration of a potential bail application. Until then, he remains in custody.
In a separate incident the previous week, Limpopo police arrested a 30-year-old foreign national during a dramatic pursuit.
This individual was caught with illicit cigarettes worth R452,872 after a high-speed chase along the N1 in Musina.
Police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, reported that officers noticed a suspicious Mercedes-Benz with Gauteng plates at around 4am.
When approached, the driver attempted to evade capture by reversing into a police vehicle before fleeing on foot.
Officers swiftly apprehended the suspect, who was found to have numerous cartons of Remington Gold and Royal Express illicit cigarettes in the abandoned vehicle, which was valued at R95,000.
Investigations revealed that he was in South Africa illegally and now faces multiple charges, including possession of illicit goods, contravention of the Immigration Act, reckless driving, and damaging state property.
He is scheduled to appear in the Musina Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, January 22.
