The South African Police Service’s elite crime-fighting unit, the Hawks, on Wednesday said a prominent television actor had been arrested for dealing in illicit cigarettes.
Provincial Spokesperson for the Hawks Matimba Maluleke says the 44-year-old prominent soapie actor and four other suspects aged between 38 and 42 will appear in court on Thursday and may only be named once they have appeared.
Members of the Hawks received a tip-off about suspects who were selling illicit cigarettes at a Polokwane taxi rank.
Maluleke says an early morning operation was conducted wherein the five suspects were caught red-handed with the contraband.
Maluleke said the team seized 45 cartons of Remington Gold cigarettes to the value of R12,000 as well as R9,681 in cash.
The suspects are expected to make their first appearance in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Thursday for contravention of Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964 and dealing in illicit cigarettes.
