Paul Nyathi

One of the Zimbabwean men arrested at a lodge in Polokwane for dealing in illicit cigarettes earlier in the year, appeared before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

Walter Madhongi (25) was arrested on 20 October by the Directorate of Priority Crimes’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation members.

According to a statement by Hawks Limpopo Spokesperson, Capt Matimba Maluleke, a tip-off about people selling illicit cigarettes at a lodge in Polokwane was received and followed up.

“The team proceeded to the said lodge and found 330 cartons of Remington Gold cigarettes hidden in one of the rooms. The cigarettes, to the value of R87 000, were seized and Madhongi and a 42-year-old man were arrested,” Maluleke explained.

The accused appeared in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court.

“Madhongi pleaded guilty and sentenced to pay a fine of R40 000 or three years’ imprisonment, of which half is suspended. He should also pay a defects fine of R5 000,” Maluleke explained.

Maluleke said that the case against Madhongi’s co-accussed was “withdrawn by the court as Madhongi admitted to be the sole owner of the cigarettes”.