Seven soldiers in court over smuggling

Seven soldiers arrested for alleged cross-border vehicle smuggling in Limpopo are expected to apply for bail in the Musina Magistrate’s Court today.

Rapula Reuben Maidi, Edward Lepokola, Bulelani Danti, Ludwe Gwedashe, Thembani Mjelo, Marks Funeka and Peter Thato Namane made their first court appearance earlier this week.

Limpopo National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi said the soldiers allegedly took bribes of R15 000 per vehicle and allowed car theft syndicates to smuggle vehicles to Zimbabwe.

“The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation [Hawks] received information about SA National Defence Force members who were assisting vehicle smuggling syndicates to smuggle suspected stolen vehicles through the Limpopo River.”

The Hawks and the military proceeded with an undercover operation and the suspects were arrested by the military police,” said Malabi-Dzhangi.

Funeka and Gwedashe hold the rank of lance corporal while the rest of the accused have the rank of private.

In a separate case in the same court, the bail applications of two other soldiers also nabbed for alleged cross-border crimes will be heard today.

Lieutenants Lucky Jabu Mokoena and Sphamandla David Zungu were arrested after they were caught allegedly transporting boxes containing illicit cigarettes to a buyer in Musina.

They had allegedly used a military vehicle to transport the cigarettes.