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"description": "Daily Maverick is an independent online news publication and weekly print newspaper in South Africa.\r\n\r\nIt is known for breaking some of the defining stories of South Africa in the past decade, including the Marikana Massacre, in which the South African Police Service killed 34 miners in August 2012.\r\n\r\nIt also investigated the Gupta Leaks, which won the 2019 Global Shining Light Award.\r\n\r\nThat investigation was credited with exposing the Indian-born Gupta family and former President Jacob Zuma for their role in the systemic political corruption referred to as state capture.\r\n\r\nIn 2018, co-founder and editor-in-chief Branislav ‘Branko’ Brkic was awarded the country’s prestigious Nat Nakasa Award, recognised for initiating the investigative collaboration after receiving the hard drive that included the email tranche.\r\n\r\nIn 2021, co-founder and CEO Styli Charalambous also received the award.\r\n\r\nDaily Maverick covers the latest political and news developments in South Africa with breaking news updates, analysis, opinions and more.",
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"contents": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Limpopo Hawks spokesperson Captain Matimba Maluleke said police had received a tip-off about illicit cigarettes waiting to be transported across the border. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“A multidisciplinary sting operation between the Hawks, Limpopo SA Police Service, SA National Defence Force and the SA Revenue Service was conducted,” he said.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When the team arrived at the farm, they found a truck and a tractor with a trailer loaded with suspected illicit cigarettes, covered with pallets of bricks. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“A preliminary investigation led to the discovery of a bakkie and another truck in the vicinity … also fully loaded with suspected illicit cigarettes,” he said. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It’s not the first time law enforcement officers have intercepted </span><a href=\"https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/man-arrested-at-beitbridge-border-for-allegedly-smuggling-illicit-cigarettes-worth-r21m-into-sa-20230209\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">illicit cigarettes in Limpopo</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, especially on the N1. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Last month, several police officers attached to the Tshamutumbu Police Station </span><a href=\"https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/police-commissioner-says-arrest-of-6-officers-sends-a-message-of-zero-tolerance-on-crime-20221209\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">outside Musina were arrested</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. They are suspected of involvement in the trafficking of illicit cigarettes. They have appeared in court and are currently out on bail.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maluleke said the five suspects in the Beitbridge case appeared in the Musina Magistrates’ Court on Monday and remain in custody. Their bail hearing will take place on Friday.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/rudzani-illigal-cigs2/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1585464\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/rudzani-illigal-cigs2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"324\" /></a> A joint operation between the Hawks, SAPS, SARS and the SANDF discovered five men loading illicit cigarettes on to vehicles on a farm between Musina and the Beitbridge border post between SA and Zimbabwe. (Photo: Supplied)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/rudzani-illigal-cigs9/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1585475\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/rudzani-illigal-cigs9.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"1087\" /></a> Hawks and SANDF members inspect a bakkie full of illicit cigarettes on a farm near Beitbridge border in Limpopo. (Photo: Supplied)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/rudzani-illigal-cigs4/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1585468\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/rudzani-illigal-cigs4.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"371\" /></a> A joint operation between the Hawks, SAPS, SARS and the SANDF arrested five men loading illicit cigarettes on to vehicles on a farm between Musina and the Beitbridge border post between SA and Zimbabwe. (Photo: Supplied)</p>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<strong>Visit <a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=in_article_link&utm_campaign=homepage\"><em>Daily Maverick's</em> home page</a> for more news, analysis and investigations</strong>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The accused are: Manuel Mphephu (44); Gibson Machaha (37); Moses Matembdze (38); Asoith Rambuwani (26); and Swethani Mphephu (26).</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meanwhile, SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter has praised law enforcement for the bust.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“According to their records, a total 1,185 master cases of illicit cigarettes with brands of Remington Gold, Chelsea and Royal Express, worth millions, were impounded. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Four trucks, one bakkie and one tractor with a trailer … to carry the illicit cigarettes worth millions in estimated value were also confiscated by the law enforcement officers,” Kieswetter said in a statement.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He said investigations showed that the smuggling of illicit cigarettes is increasing in the country. He said about 500 people who cross the border daily are smuggling at least two master cases of illicit cigarettes on their backs. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“These cigarettes are then loaded into trucks, some owned by South Africans, and small vehicles which use alternative routes alongside the border, and in collusion with some local farmers, to reach their intended destinations for distribution on the local market.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Illicit cigarette smuggling is also rife in rural villages near the Beitbridge border. Residents of villages such as Malale, Madimbo, Gumbu, Bennde Mutale and Masisi say they witness the transportation of cigarettes daily across the Limpopo River. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A member of the community of Gumbu village, Mahwasane Mudzweda, said syndicates sometimes engaged in shootouts in the bush, fighting over the illicit cigarettes. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Members of the SANDF have been deployed along the Beitbridge border. </span><b>DM</b>\r\n\r\n<i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Read more in </span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Daily Maverick:</span>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2022-12-11-illicit-and-counterfeit-trade-fuels-organised-crime-and-is-a-growing-threat-to-sas-economic-recovery/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Illicit and counterfeit trade fuels organised crime and is a growing threat to SA's economic recovery</span></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-02-27-british-american-tobacco-fears-profits-will-go-up-in-smoke-as-illegal-trade-devours-the-market/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">British American Tobacco fears profits will go up in smoke as illegal trade devours the market</span></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-01-20-no-smoke-without-fire-south-africas-illicit-cigarette-trade/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No smoke without fire – South Africa's illicit cigarette trade</span></a>",
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"name": "A joint operations between the Hawks, SAPS, SARS. officers and SANDF soldiers discovered five men loading illicit cigarettes onto vehicles on a farm between Musina and the Beitbridge border post between SA and Zimbabwe. The cigarettes with an estimated value of 30 million rand was about to be delivered to various parts of South Africa.Photo:Supplied",
"description": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Limpopo Hawks spokesperson Captain Matimba Maluleke said police had received a tip-off about illicit cigarettes waiting to be transported across the border. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“A multidisciplinary sting operation between the Hawks, Limpopo SA Police Service, SA National Defence Force and the SA Revenue Service was conducted,” he said.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When the team arrived at the farm, they found a truck and a tractor with a trailer loaded with suspected illicit cigarettes, covered with pallets of bricks. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“A preliminary investigation led to the discovery of a bakkie and another truck in the vicinity … also fully loaded with suspected illicit cigarettes,” he said. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It’s not the first time law enforcement officers have intercepted </span><a href=\"https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/man-arrested-at-beitbridge-border-for-allegedly-smuggling-illicit-cigarettes-worth-r21m-into-sa-20230209\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">illicit cigarettes in Limpopo</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, especially on the N1. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Last month, several police officers attached to the Tshamutumbu Police Station </span><a href=\"https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/police-commissioner-says-arrest-of-6-officers-sends-a-message-of-zero-tolerance-on-crime-20221209\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">outside Musina were arrested</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. They are suspected of involvement in the trafficking of illicit cigarettes. They have appeared in court and are currently out on bail.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maluleke said the five suspects in the Beitbridge case appeared in the Musina Magistrates’ Court on Monday and remain in custody. Their bail hearing will take place on Friday.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1585464\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/rudzani-illigal-cigs2/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-1585464\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/rudzani-illigal-cigs2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"324\" /></a> A joint operation between the Hawks, SAPS, SARS and the SANDF discovered five men loading illicit cigarettes on to vehicles on a farm between Musina and the Beitbridge border post between SA and Zimbabwe. (Photo: Supplied)[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1585475\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/rudzani-illigal-cigs9/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-1585475\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/rudzani-illigal-cigs9.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"1087\" /></a> Hawks and SANDF members inspect a bakkie full of illicit cigarettes on a farm near Beitbridge border in Limpopo. (Photo: Supplied)[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1585468\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/rudzani-illigal-cigs4/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-1585468\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/rudzani-illigal-cigs4.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"371\" /></a> A joint operation between the Hawks, SAPS, SARS and the SANDF arrested five men loading illicit cigarettes on to vehicles on a farm between Musina and the Beitbridge border post between SA and Zimbabwe. (Photo: Supplied)[/caption]\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<strong>Visit <a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=in_article_link&utm_campaign=homepage\"><em>Daily Maverick's</em> home page</a> for more news, analysis and investigations</strong>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The accused are: Manuel Mphephu (44); Gibson Machaha (37); Moses Matembdze (38); Asoith Rambuwani (26); and Swethani Mphephu (26).</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meanwhile, SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter has praised law enforcement for the bust.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“According to their records, a total 1,185 master cases of illicit cigarettes with brands of Remington Gold, Chelsea and Royal Express, worth millions, were impounded. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Four trucks, one bakkie and one tractor with a trailer … to carry the illicit cigarettes worth millions in estimated value were also confiscated by the law enforcement officers,” Kieswetter said in a statement.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He said investigations showed that the smuggling of illicit cigarettes is increasing in the country. He said about 500 people who cross the border daily are smuggling at least two master cases of illicit cigarettes on their backs. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“These cigarettes are then loaded into trucks, some owned by South Africans, and small vehicles which use alternative routes alongside the border, and in collusion with some local farmers, to reach their intended destinations for distribution on the local market.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Illicit cigarette smuggling is also rife in rural villages near the Beitbridge border. Residents of villages such as Malale, Madimbo, Gumbu, Bennde Mutale and Masisi say they witness the transportation of cigarettes daily across the Limpopo River. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A member of the community of Gumbu village, Mahwasane Mudzweda, said syndicates sometimes engaged in shootouts in the bush, fighting over the illicit cigarettes. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Members of the SANDF have been deployed along the Beitbridge border. </span><b>DM</b>\r\n\r\n<i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Read more in </span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Daily Maverick:</span>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2022-12-11-illicit-and-counterfeit-trade-fuels-organised-crime-and-is-a-growing-threat-to-sas-economic-recovery/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Illicit and counterfeit trade fuels organised crime and is a growing threat to SA's economic recovery</span></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-02-27-british-american-tobacco-fears-profits-will-go-up-in-smoke-as-illegal-trade-devours-the-market/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">British American Tobacco fears profits will go up in smoke as illegal trade devours the market</span></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-01-20-no-smoke-without-fire-south-africas-illicit-cigarette-trade/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No smoke without fire – South Africa's illicit cigarette trade</span></a>",
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A joint operation between the Hawks, SAPS, SARS and the SANDF discovered five men loading illicit cigarettes on to vehicles on a farm between Musina and the Beitbridge border post between SA and Zimbabwe. (Photo: Supplied)
Hawks and SANDF members inspect a bakkie full of illicit cigarettes on a farm near Beitbridge border in Limpopo. (Photo: Supplied)
A joint operation between the Hawks, SAPS, SARS and the SANDF arrested five men loading illicit cigarettes on to vehicles on a farm between Musina and the Beitbridge border post between SA and Zimbabwe. (Photo: Supplied)