The Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes Court convicted and sentenced Zimbabwean national Max Chingachirere, 48, for possession of illicit cigarettes on Wednesday, 29 November 2023.
The court heard that on 22 September 2023, the accused was arrested by the police in Roedtan under Waterberg District after his vehicle was found loaded with illicit cigarettes to the value of R416 070,00.
The case was transferred to the Provincial Organized Unit for further probe .
The accused made numerous court appearances until he was convicted and sentenced to pay a fine of R 300 000,00 or two years imprisonment for possession of illicit cigarettes and a fine of R5000,00 or six months imprisonment for violation of immigration act.
The Provincial Commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has welcomed the sentences handed down to the suspect and commended all the role players for the excellent work in ensuring that they put a water tight case before the court.