A 44-year-old Zimbabwean man was arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle illicit cigarettes, worth more than R12 million, into South Africa.
The man is alleged to have snuck into South Africa during a time there was load shedding at the border gate. It is alleged a police officer allowed the truck through.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Amanda Funani said the man entered South Africa from Botswana on Friday, via the Skilpadhek port of entry.
“Trucks entering or leaving the country are not allowed to do so during load shedding, since computers are off-line,” she said.
She said another police officer saw the truck leaving the border, driving towards Zeerust. The officer informed his commander, and the truck was stopped before it reached Zeerust.
