Mozambican driver sentenced to two years in South Africa for smuggling

A South African court has sentenced a Mozambican national to two years in prison for smuggling counterfeit goods worth about 6 million rand (295 thousand euros), South African police said.

“Abilio Kuna, 40, a Mozambican national, was found guilty and sentenced by the Mbombela Commercial Crimes Court on Monday 11 March 2024 following his arrest by the Lebombo Border Police,” he said in a statement released on Tuesday by the South African Police Service (SAPS).

A statement from the police’s High Crime Unit (HAWKS) in Nelspruit, in the South African province of Mpumalanga, which borders Mozambique, highlighted that the court sentenced the Mozambican national to two years in prison or a fine of R200,000. 10 thousand euros).

The Mozambican driver was arrested at 3:20 am (5:20 am Lisbon time) on 4 November 2023 on the South African side (Lebombo) of the Ressano Garcia border, the busiest with Portuguese-speaking neighbor Mozambique, while he was transporting in a long, heavy vehicle with two tipper trailers counterfeit goods worth R5,973,200 (€293,240), according to the note to which Lusa had access.

“The accused was arrested and the counterfeit goods, truck and trailers were seized and removed from a bonded warehouse,” provincial spokeswoman Hawkes said.

According to South African authorities, the Mozambican company Transporte Mussa Mussa (TMM), the owner of the heavy vehicle and two trailers, was ordered to pay a fine and storage fees to the South African Revenue Service (SARS) in the amount of R135,000 (€6,625).

Two weeks ago, a Mozambican driver was detained at the same border between South Africa and Mozambique for smuggling counterfeit shoes worth R1.8 million (€86,000), South African police said.