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Freeman Razemba Crime Reporter
Eight South African Police Services officers have been arrested in that country on allegations of working with cross-border syndicates to smuggle contraband of export quality cigarettes from Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

The eight police officers, who were arrested last Wednesday in Lydenburg, Mpumalanga, face corruption, defeating the course of justice, conspiracy to commit a crime, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and kidnapping, among other charges.

According to media reports, the officers are accused of working with cross-border smugglers to ensure safe passage of the illicit goods through Mpumalanga province.

Investigations into illegal cigarettes syndicates are widening to government officials including border personnel, according to reports.

Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi was quoted saying: “Their role is mostly to escort these vehicles. They are also involved in the selling of the illegal cigarettes but mostly it’s in terms of making sure these cigarettes have a safe pass through this area of Mpumalanga.”

The Hawks swooped on the cops at their offices and confiscated their service pistols and police badges.

“It is not only members of the police that are involved. We are of the belief that there are other government officials that are connected to this. It is critical for us to do a proper investigation in terms of making sure that we connect everyone,” Brig Mulaudzi said.

Last Friday, a 37-year-old smuggler from Harare was fined $3 000 after he was intercepted by police while smuggling a contraband of export quality cigarettes worth R1,1 million ($90 000) to South Africa through Beitbridge Border Post.