Cross-border smuggling is an ongoing challenge, but this past weekend, officers at the Kopfontein Border Post managed to stop a big one in its tracks.
Border Management Authority officials intercepted a truck driver carrying a huge stash of banned medical products, preventing these illegal goods from entering the country.
Truck Driver from Zimbabwe Found with Thousands of Banned Epiderm Cream Packets
The man arrested is 43-year-old Zimbabwean national Tiritese Chimbwanda.
He was driving a truck that had crossed over from Botswana, and when questioned by officials, he claimed he didn’t have any goods to declare.
But during a routine inspection on May 25th, officers found nearly 45,000 packets of Epiderm Cream hidden beneath the trailer.
This cream is banned in South Africa after the Medical Control Council declared it an undesirable product.
Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula explained that the large quantity of packets was discovered after a careful search, which led to the suspect’s immediate arrest.
Court Appearance and Legal Charges Against Smuggler
Chimbwanda was brought before the Zeerust Magistrates’ Court on May 27th.
He faces charges under the Medicines and Related Substances Act of 1965 for importing a banned medical product.
The case was postponed to June 3rd, giving the defense time to prepare a formal bail application.
Authorities Ramp Up Border Checks to Stop Illegal Medical Products
In response to this incident, authorities have pledged to tighten security and inspections at all entry points.
Their goal is clear: to stop the flow of unregulated and potentially dangerous medical products from crossing the border.