Zimbabwean Nationals Sentenced to Five Years Imprisonment for Possession of Illicit Goods

13 MARCH 2025

Zimbabwean Nationals Sentenced to Five Years Imprisonment for Possession of Illicit Goods

The Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes Court has sentenced two Zimbabwean nationals, Samuel Nkomo (38) and Jesphat Aaron Mawire (46), to five years of direct imprisonment for possession of illicit goods valued at R8 million. On 11 September 2024, police officers from the Capricorn Flying Squad were conducting a stop-and-search operation on the R521 (Dendron Road) when they intercepted a white Rigid Man Truck. Upon searching the vehicle, officers discovered 908 boxes of Adalya Premium Hookah Tobacco, wrapped in plastic, with a total estimated value of R8 million.

The packaging markings indicated that the consignment originated from Turkey. However, the accused 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. In aggravation of sentence, Advocate Phumudzo Mudau argued that the accused had committed a serious and prevalent offense 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 for each accused, forfeiture of the Rigid Man Truck and 908 boxes of illicit tobacco to the state and declaration of the accused as unfit to possess a firearm.

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Ivy Thenga, welcomed the sentencing, stating that it sends a strong warning to would-be offenders involved in illicit trade. She also commended the efforts of Advocates Phumudzo Mudau and Tebogo Mothapo, along with the investigating officer, Sergeant Mmametse Sophina Lehodi, from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (Serious Commercial Crime Investigations).

Issued by:

Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi
NPA Regional Spokesperson – Limpopo Division
Email: mmalabi@npa.gov.za
Mobile: 074 823 3603