Quentin Slabbert

Hawks Secure R1 Million Fine For 43-Year-Old Yusuf Asmal After Police Discover More Than R1 Million Worth Of Illicit Cigarettes In His Vehicle On The N11 Road In Limpopo A 43-year-old man, Yusuf Muhammed Asmal, has been sentenced to a R1 million fine after being convicted of dealing with illicit cigarettes worth more than R1 million in Limpopo. The sentence follows an investigation by the Hawks Polokwane Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team after a consignment of illegal cigarettes was discovered during a highway patrol operation. On 16 September 2021, South African Police Service highway patrol officers stopped a vehicle driven by Asmal on the N11 road in Mahwelereng. A search uncovered 73 master cases, 49 cartons and five Remington packs of illicit cigarettes valued at more than R1 million. The cigarettes were seized, and Asmal was arrested and detained at Mahwelereng police station. The case was subsequently transferred to the Polokwane Regional Specialised Commercial Crime Court, where Asmal was convicted on 13 October 2026. On 21 October, he was sentenced to a R1 million fine or five years’ imprisonment. Of the fine, R300 000, equivalent to two years’ imprisonment, was suspended for five years on condition that he is not convicted of possessing illicit cigarettes during that period. The court also declared Asmal unfit to possess a firearm. Hawks Limpopo provincial head Major General (Adv.) Gobz Govender said the sentence demonstrated that those who break the law would be held accountable. He added that the Hawks would continue investigating illicit trade to protect the country’s economy.

83 Vehicles Worth R46 Million Stopped From Leaving South Africa As BMA Exposes Alleged Scheme Involving Financed Cars, Fraudulent Bank Letters And Vehicles Later Reported Stolen Border Management Authority (BMA) Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato says 83 vehicles valued at approximately R46 million were intercepted over the past six months while attempting to cross South Africa’s borders without meeting the necessary requirements. Masiapato said the vehicles were returned to the country, with some individuals arrested. Speaking to SABC News in a virtual interview, Masiapato explained that the BMA launched a new vehicle targeting system on Sunday to identify vehicles that should not be permitted to cross the border. The system uses number plate information to flag vehicles for further checks, including their licensing status, whether they are reported stolen and whether they are still financed. Masiapato said vehicles under finance require authorisation letters from the relevant banks, which are also recorded on the system. Drivers who cannot produce the required letters are turned back and instructed to obtain the documentation before returning. However, those who present fraudulent letters face arrest for fraud, and their vehicles are impounded and handed over to police. “Over the past six months, we are able to indicate that 83 vehicles had been intercepted, and they were about R46 million,” Masiapato said. He explained that some individuals had allegedly used fraudulent bank letters to take financed vehicles across borders and sell them in other jurisdictions before reporting them stolen upon returning home. Some of those arrested are expected to appear in court.