Questions have been asked about the quality of law enforcement at the Beitbridge Border Post, after a Hyundai bakkie fully loaded with illegal Zimbabwean cigarettes was confiscated by the police in the Makhado area.

A 36-year-old was arrested by the Bandelierkop police, along the N1, about 30 km from Makhado last Wednesday afternoon.

Mirror learnt that the Bandelierkop police had received a tip-off from people who are against the smuggling of illegal cigarettes. When the smuggler was stopped, he was found in possession of about R8 000, which the police strongly believe was meant to bribe officials. It was also discovered that the man was in the country without valid documents.

The bakkie was immediately impounded by the Bandelierkop police, where the illegal cartons of Pacific cigarettes were offloaded. Despite having told the police that the truck he was driving belonged to his brother, police said that the arrested cigarette smuggler was reluctant to reveal details of the person who had hired him.

Police spokesperson in Vhembe Supt Ailwei Mushavhanamadi said that the man had been charged for smuggling illegal cigarettes. Mirror has also established that the case has been referred to the serious and organized crime unit in Polokwane. The police said that the impounded illegal cigarettes are estimated to have a street value of more than R500 000.