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Thupeyo Muleya – Beitbridge Bureau

A Zimbabwean truck driver, Jiant Janos Bimha (44) has been further remanded in custody by a Musina magistrate court after he was arrested for allegedly smuggling Remington Gold cigarettes into South Africa worth R14 million.

Bimha was arrested on January 18, 2025, after he was allegedly found in possession of illicit cigarettes at the Beitbridge Border Post soon after entering the neighbouring country.

South Africa’s spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Limpopo province Ms Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi said the matter was postponed to March 7 for bail application.

She said Bimha briefly appeared at the Musina Magistrate court last Thursday where the case was further postponed.

“The matter has been postponed to 07/03/2025 for bail application,” said Ms Malabi-Dzhangi.

Charges against Bimha are that on January 18, this year he was driving a white truck with a tanker trailer when he was stopped by the police at the port of entry.

Upon being asked about his load, Bimha claimed the tanker was empty but the police suspected that it was loaded.

They then directed him to the ramp zone at the commercial side and searched the vehicle leading to the discovery of 710 boxes of Remington Gold brand cigarettes worth R14 449 363..

During further interrogations, Bimha failed to give the police a satisfactory explanation regarding the origin of the cigarettes and he was immediately placed under arrest on the spot.

The police have since confiscated the 710 boxes of Remington Gold cigarettes and a truck tanker valued at R2 500 000.

The smuggling of cigarettes has become a perennial headache for authorities in both countries who in most cases are collaborating to minimise the vice.