Polokwane – A 56-year-old man has been sentenced to 13 years in prison by the Polokwane Commercial Crimes Court after being found guilty of possessing illicit cigarettes and contravening the Immigration Act.
The conviction follows a February 2026 operation in which members of the Provincial Tracking Team intercepted a white Ford Ranger bakkie along the R516 in the Tuinplaas policing area.
Inside the vehicle, police discovered 36 master boxes of Remington Gold cigarettes concealed in packaging, with an estimated street value of R360 000.
The driver, identified as Toni Nathaniel Gumbo, who is from Zimbabwe, was arrested at the scene.
Investigations led by Sergeant Sello Mokwele ensured that Gumbo was denied bail until sentencing.
The court handed down the following penalties:
- Illicit cigarette possession – 5 years direct imprisonment
- Immigration Act contravention – 8 years direct imprisonment
The sentences will run consecutively, meaning Gumbo will serve a total of 13 years.
The vehicle used in the crime was also forfeited to the state.
Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe welcomed the ruling, emphasising that police remain committed to combating illicit trade and related criminal activities in Limpopo.
An estimated 70% of cigarettes sold in South Africa are illicit (smuggled into the country), leading to annual tax revenue losses of over R27 billion.
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