Six cops appear in court on charges of 'helping' cigarette smugglers

Six Limpopo police officers who allegedly assisted counterfeit cigarette syndicates to smuggle their products into South Africa through the Beitbridge border post, appeared in the Musina magistrate’s court on Monday on charges of corruption.

The clients intending to purchase properties paid money into the attorney's trust account. However the suspect failed to pay the sellers and did not refund the clients. Stock photo.
The clients intending to purchase properties paid money into the attorney's trust account. However the suspect failed to pay the sellers and did not refund the clients. Stock photo. (123RF)

Six Limpopo police officers who allegedly helped counterfeit cigarette syndicates smuggle their products into SA through the Beitbridge border post appeared in the Musina magistrate’s court on Monday on charges of corruption.

Fhulufhuwani Calderon Kwinda, 55, Ndivhaleni Negota, 45, Naledzani Jonathan Mabalana, 55, Takalani Eric Nefolovhodwe, 45, Midiaifani  Tshikovhele, 35, and Elisa Nenzhelele, 38, were arrested on Friday.

It is alleged the officers attached to the Tshamutumbu police station were deployed on the border and created a safe passage for smugglers to enter the country illegally in possession of illicit cigarettes in exchange for bribes.

The matter was postponed to Friday for a bail application. The accused remain in custody.

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