Mbombela (Formerly Nelspruit) – A Mozambican truck driver has been sentenced to two years imprisonment or a fine of R200 000 for smuggling counterfeit goods into South Africa.
The 40-year-old trucker Abilio Cuna appeared in the Mbombela Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Mpumalanga on Monday, where he was sentenced.
The accused, Cuna, had earlier been found guilty of contravention of the SA Customs and Excise Act – Counterfeit Goods, following his arrest by the Hawks at the Lebombo port of entry in November last year.
The accused was arrested while driving a Volvo articulated truck into South Africa from Mozambique loaded with fake branded clothes and footwear.
Hawks Mpumalanga spokesperson Captain Dineo Sekgotodi said the accused had been in custody since his arrest.
The elite crime unit had successfully opposed releasing Cuna on bail.
Recalling the day of the arrest, Captain Sekgotodi said: “On 4 November 2023, at about 03:20, Cuna, a Mozambican citizen, entered the Lebombo port of entry from Mozambique into the Republic of South Africa driving a Volvo truck with two tipper trailers.
“The truck was stopped and searched.
“During the search, counterfeit goods with an estimated street value of R 5 973 200 were found in the back of the trailers.
“The accused was then arrested and detained. The state successfully opposed bail.”
Captain Sekgotodi said the truck was impounded and the counterfeit loot confiscated.
The truck owner had to pay a penalty fine and storage fees of R135 000 to SARS Customs before the truck was released to him.
Explaining the sentence in detail, Captain Sekgotodi said: “The accused was sentenced to R 200 000 fine or two years imprisonment, of which half is suspended for five years on condition that accused is not found guilty on charges of contravening the provisions of Section 80(1)(a) of the Customs and Excise Act, Act 91 of 1964.”
