Musina – Five members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), including a female soldier, and two undocumented Zimbabwean nationals are expected to appear before the Musina Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 18 September 2025, on multiple charges including corruption, possession of illicit cigarettes, unlawful discharge of a firearm and defeating the ends of justice.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the suspects, aged between 26 and 42, were arrested on Tuesday, 16 September, during a joint operation by the SAPS Limpopo Beitbridge Task Team and Military Intelligence.
“Their arrests followed an incident earlier that morning at Artonvilla, along the first Malaladrift road near the Limpopo River, where they allegedly conspired to intercept and steal a consignment of illicit cigarettes being smuggled into South Africa.
“During the operation, shots were reportedly fired, forcing smugglers to abandon 24 boxes of illicit cigarettes. Six boxes were later found hidden inside a temporary military camp,” police said.
Investigations are continuing.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, X and Instagram
Picture: Facebook/SAPS
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
