Heavy sentences for possession of illicit cigarettes and bribery
Three Zimbabwean nationals were found guilty on charges of possession of illicit cigarettes and bribery by the Giyani Commercial Court on Friday, February 2.
A woman, Mangote Kudzai (42) was found guilty on charges of bribery and sentenced to seven years imprisonment or a R120 000 fine, she was also declared unfit to possess a firearm. Maprozwa Ashlen (50) was sentenced to seven years imprisonment or a R120 000 fine and declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The third person, Tatenda Samasuku (30) was sentenced to five years imprisonment for possession of illicit cigarettes or pay a fine of R100 000 and declared unfit to possess a firearm. The suspects were arrested by the Modjadjiskloof police near Politsi after a tip-off. According to Const Elliot Mabulane two of the suspects offered bribes to the officers.
Also read: Foreigners sentenced to nine years in prison for smuggling cigarettes
They were arrested, charged, and appeared in the Modjadjiskloof Magistrate’s Court, the case was later moved to the Giyani Commercial Court. The acting station commander Capt Matthew Mohale Raholane has commended the good work done by officers and investigating officers and said that this will serve as a deterrence to those who are still committing or intending to commit crime.
“This hefty sentence is set to be a message to all criminals and others who break the law,” said Raholane. The police officers who refused bribes were highly praised for being patriotic and preventing corruption.
