There has been an increase in smuggling of contraband liquor and tobacco over SA’s land borders, as well their sale on the black market
Police minister Bheki Cele has acknowledged that crime syndicates have taken advantage of the sales ban on alcohol and tobacco during the coronavirus lockdown.
Cele said that since the beginning of the lockdown there has been almost 230,000 contraventions of its regulations. They include cigarette- and liquor-related offences, as well as illegal gatherings and trave between provinces with no permits or with fraudulent ones. Cele said that, while dealing with the increase in illicit activities, it is known that criminals are opportunistic.
He said the police have observed an increase in smuggling of contraband liquor and tobacco, between SA’s land borders with Botswana, eSwatini, Lesotho, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, as well as the sale of these products on the black market.
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