The sentence was handed down by the Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.
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Two Zimbabwean nationals, Samuel Nkomo, 38, and Josephat Mawire, 46, have been sentenced to five years in prison for possession of illicit goods valued at R8 million.
The sentence was handed down by the Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.
National Prosecution Authority regional spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi said on September 11, 2024, police officers from the Capricorn Flying Squad were executing a stop-and-search operation on the R521 (Dendron Road) when they encountered a white Rigid Man Truck.
Officers searched the car and recovered 908 boxes of Adalya Premium Hookah Tobacco, wrapped in plastic, worth R8 million.
"The packaging markings indicated that the consignment originated from Turkey. However, the defendants failed to provide valid importation documents. Further verification revealed that the SAD 500 form and invoice they presented were fraudulent as they did not exist in the SARS system. During the trial, both accused pleaded guilty and were convicted as charged," said Malabi-Dzhangi.
In aggravating the sentence, Advocate Phumudzo Mudau argued that the accused committed a serious and prevalent offence in the court's jurisdiction.
They showed no remorse, the high value of the illicit goods necessitated a strong deterrent message to potential offenders, there is public demand for harsher sentences in such cases, and the court granted the state's request for a custodial sentence and imposed the following penalties: five years of direct imprisonment.
Advocate Ivy Thenga, Director of Public Prosecutions, praised the sentence, saying it sends a clear message to potential criminals participating in illegal trading.
She also praised the work of Advocates Phumudzo Mudau and Tebogo Mothapo, as well as the investigating officer, Sergeant Mmametse Sophina Lehodi of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (Hawks).
IOL