Polokwane – A 40-year-old foreign national has been arrested for possession of illicit cigarettes and is expected to appear soon before the Hlanganani Magistrate’s Court, Limpopo police confirmed on Monday.
According to provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, members of the Mopani Task Team acted on a tip-off and raided a tuckshop in Nkuzana Village, Hlanganani, on Sunday, 6 July 2025.
“During the search, officers confiscated boxes of illegal cigarettes with a street value of R13,700,” Ledwaba said.
“The suspect was immediately arrested on charges of possession of illicit cigarettes.”
#sapsLIM A 40yr-old Suspect will make his appearance before Hlanganai Magistrate’s Court soon on charges of possession of illicit cigarettes.
On Sunday 06/07, #SAPS Mopani task team conducted a search at a tuck shop in Nkuzana village Hlanganani. Boxes containing illicit… pic.twitter.com/842L6IZgsp
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) July 8, 2025
Police say the operation was part of an ongoing effort to clamp down on the illegal trade of tobacco products in the province. Investigations are continuing.
Adding to national concern over the growing trade in illegal cigarettes, TimesLIVE reports that more than three-quarters of shops in South Africa now sell illicit cigarettes — with some packs going for as little as R5.
A new Ipsos report, commissioned by British American Tobacco South Africa (Batsa), found that 76.7% of retailers nationwide are selling cigarettes below the minimum collectible tax (MCT) threshold of R26.22, the report said.
This figure is nearly triple the 27.4% recorded in 2022.
The study, which surveyed 4,812 outlets, found that 69% of retailers were selling cigarettes below R20 per pack.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, X and Instagram
Picture: X/@SAPoliceService
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
