A 34-year-old Nigerian national has been arrested for dealing in drugs in Balfour, police confirmed, after officers uncovered narcotics hidden inside a bed during a search of a residential property on 26 May.
According to police, officers acted on information and proceeded to an identified address where the suspect was found. A search of the premises led to the discovery of drugs concealed underneath a mattress inside the bed base.
“Police proceeded to an identified address and, upon arrival, found the suspect. Officers requested permission to search the premises. During the search of one of the bedrooms, police searched the bed and discovered drugs hidden underneath the mattress inside the bed base.”
The suspect was arrested at the scene and was expected to appear in the Balfour Magistrate’s Court on May 27.
In a separate incident, a Zimbabwean national has been sentenced to eight years’ direct imprisonment by the Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes Court for possession of illicit cigarettes and contravention of immigration laws.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the ruling, which relates to the interception of a Ford Ranger on the R516 following a police tip-off. Authorities discovered a large consignment of undeclared cigarettes during a search of the vehicle.
“The accused pleaded guilty to the charges. He admitted that on 11 February 2026, he was driving a Ford Ranger with a black canopy on the R516 near a Caltex filling station when police received a tip-off, intercepted, and searched the vehicle,” NPA spokesperson Mashudu Malabi said.
Police recovered 35 master boxes, 48 cartons and six packets of Remington Gold cigarettes, valued at R167 268, which did not carry the required South African tax markings.
“The boxes lacked price tags, and the packets did not bear the legally required South African ‘SA’ diamond stamp impression,” said Malabi.
State Advocate Sewela Mphasha told the court that the offences were serious and widespread, warning of the broader economic impact of illicit trade.
“In aggravation of the sentence, State Advocate Sewela Mphasha argued that the offences are serious and highly prevalent. She emphasised the severe negative impact of illicit trade on the country’s economy, as well as the unregulated health risks associated with counterfeit cigarettes,” Malabi said.
The court also heard arguments that undocumented foreign nationals who evade authorities over long periods pose additional risks to law enforcement efforts.
“Advocate Mphasha further submitted that undocumented foreign nationals who conceal their true identities for extended periods pose a significant risk to society,” Malabi said.
The NPA added that strong sentencing was necessary to deter similar crimes.
“The state further argued that a lenient sentence would fail to serve as an effective deterrent to similar criminal syndicates,” Malabi said.
Limpopo Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Ivy Thenga, said commercial crime continues to threaten economic stability.
“Serious commercial crimes threaten the economic stability of the country,” Thenga said, adding that the NPA “will continue to channel all available resources into combating fiscal offences aggressively.”
IOL News
Wendy Dondolo
iol.co.za
