| Ethiopian female national to appear in court for possession of illicit cigarettes and bribery in Thohoyandou | |
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| Date Published: | 2026/01/11 |
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Media Statement
POLOKWANE – A 43-year-old Ethiopian female national is expected to appear before the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 12 January 2026, facing charges of possession of illicit cigarettes and bribery. The suspect was arrested on Saturday, 10 January 2026, at approximately 16:30, by members of the Provincial Intervention Task Team while conducting routine crime prevention operations around the Thohoyandou area in the Vhembe District. During the operation, the police found the suspect in possession of 49 cartons of illicit cigarettes with an estimated street value of R7 350. Upon being informed of her arrest, the suspect allegedly attempted to bribe the police officers with R7 000 in cash in an effort to evade arrest. The officers rejected the offer, and an additional charge of bribery was subsequently added. The Acting Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Major General Jan Scheepers, has commended the team for the confiscation of illicit cigarettes. “We remain unwavering in our efforts to eradicate the illicit trade in counterfeit goods which pose a serious threat to the country’s economy,”
Further investigations are ongoing.
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