Woman arrested for illicit cigarettes and bribery in Thohoyandou
A 43-year-old foreign national was arrested for illicit cigarettes and offering a bribe to police during an operation in Thohoyandou.
LIMPOPO – A 43-year-old Ethiopian woman is set to appear in court on Monday (January 12) after being arrested for possession of illicit cigarettes and allegedly attempting to bribe police officers.
The arrest occurred on Saturday (January 10) at around 16:30 during a routine crime prevention operation by the Provincial Intervention Task Team in the Thohoyandou area. 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 offered officers R7 000 in cash to avoid detention. The officers rejected the bribe and added a charge of bribery to the initial charge of possession of illicit cigarettes.
Acting provincial police commissioner Major General Jan Scheepers commended the team’s integrity, stating, “We remain unwavering in our efforts to eradicate the illicit trade in counterfeit goods which pose a serious threat to the country’s economy.”
Police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba confirmed the suspect will appear before the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court on Monday. Investigations are ongoing.
