Four police officers arrested in connection to R2.45 million heist

Four South African Police Service (SAPS) officers have been arrested in Limpopo in connection with a house robbery.

Several boxes of illicit cigarettes valued at over R1.5 million, and R950,000 in cash were seized from the suspects.

According to a police report, the officers, which include Sergeant Lesiba Shogole, Constable Malesela Huma, Constable Thapelo Ledwaba, and Constable Nthabiseng Sarafina Senama, were arrested alongside a civilian, Johannes Komane.

The officers were all attached to various policing units that included the Polokwane 10111 Flying Squad, Mahwelereng K9, and Lebowakgomo SAPS.

SAPS says that the four officers are alleged to have accosted the residents of the home in Lydenburg, Mpumalanga, who were Ethiopian nationals, in order to gain access to the premises.

The five suspects then allegedly fled the scene, with R950,000 in cash and R1.5 million in illicit cigarettes, in a marked SAPS Golf GTI belonging to the Polokwane Flying Squad, a grey Toyota double cab bakkie, and seven-seater Suzuki/Avanza.

“The marked police vehicle and the Toyota bakkie were seized for further investigation. It was discovered that both vehicles had their registration numbers tampered with using black tape,” SAPS said in a statement.

“Two service firearms belonging to the arrested police officers were also confiscated.”

According to the statement, none of the officers were on duty at the time and had not been assigned any tasks in Mpumalanga.

The four officers and and the civilian appeared before the Mashishing Magistrates Court on charges of house robbery, possession of illicit cigarettes, and defeating the ends of justice.

However, the case was postponed until Friday 17 October “for both the state and the defence to be ready with the necessary bail information.”

SAPS has said that all suspects remain in custody.

South Africa’s illicit cigarette market

In April 2024, the SA Tobacco Transformation Alliance (SATTA) estimated that South Africans smoked 37 billion cigarettes in 2023, yet SARS only collected tax on 13 billion.

The organisation estimated that the lost tax revenue was at least R24 billion, as excise tax is around R1 per cigarette.

SARS’ data shows that revenue collection from tobacco and cigarette products declined from R13.4 billion in the 2015/16 fiscal year to R9.4 billion in 2024/25.

This reflects a decline of R4.0 billion (29.6%) and a 10-year compound annual growth rate of -3.8%.

In 2024, SATTA spokesperson Francois Van der Merwe stated that the illicit cigarette market now accounts for between 65% and 70% of the total market, the highest in the world.

Ipsos conducted a study on the illicit cigarette trade in South Africa in early 2025, which was commissioned by British American Tobacco (BAT).

“Our analysis indicates that the illicit cigarette trade costs South Africa approximately R100 million every working day,” said the area head of corporate and regulatory affairs for BAT South Africa, Jonny Moloto.

“This represents more annual revenue than the South African Revenue Service’s (SARS’) entire additional collection target. Eliminating this leakage would protect law-abiding taxpayers from bearing additional tax burdens.”