R10 million fine for trucker who hid R10.4m in illicit cigarettes inside a tanker at Beitbridge
Godknows Mangani Demanyundo, 54, was sentenced in the Giyani Magistrate's Court after a SARS scanner analyst spotted suspicious images during routine cargo screening at the Musina-Beitbridge Port of Entry.
A 54-year-old truck driver has been fined R10 million or five years’ imprisonment for moving more than R10.4 million worth of illicit cigarettes through the Musina-Beitbridge Port of Entry.
Godknows Mangani Demanyundo, a Zimbabwean national, was convicted and sentenced in the Giyani Magistrate’s Court, the Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation in Musina said in a statement released by the South African Police Service.
The cigarettes, along with the truck and tanker trailer used to carry them, were forfeited to the State. The court also declared Demanyundo unfit to possess a firearm.
He was arrested on 10 June 2025 after the consignment was found concealed inside a tanker during routine cargo scanning operations at the port of entry.
A SARS cargo analyst picked up suspicious images during that scanner analysis and alerted the team leader, who notified SAPS. A joint physical inspection by SAPS and Border Management Authority officials uncovered 500 master boxes, seven cartons and six packets of Chelsea cigarettes valued at over R10.4 million.
Local Criminal Record Centre members documented the exhibits, SAPS made the arrest, and the Hawks took over the investigation. The Hawks said they gathered and examined evidence to build the case that ended in the conviction and sentencing.
The outcome was credited to cooperation between the South African Revenue Service, SAPS, the Border Management Authority, the Local Criminal Record Centre and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, known as the Hawks.
Limpopo Provincial Head of the DPCI, Major General (Adv.) Gobz Govender, commended the investigation team and the participating agencies.
“An arrest is not the end of the investigation. The Hawks will follow the evidence until justice takes its course. No border will shield those who profit from crime,” Govender said.
The statement was issued by the South African Police Service and is available at https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=71821. It is a media statement summarising the case rather than the court record itself. Enquiries on the matter are directed to Colonel Avele Fumba.
