SANDF soldiers accused of assisting vehicle smuggling syndicates denied bail

Seven South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers who were arrested for allegedly assisting smuggling syndicates from South Africa to smuggle vehicles into Zimbabwe have been denied bail by the Makhado Magistrate’s Court in Limpopo.

The suspects were arrested in the Free State, Northern Cape and North West last month.

The crimes were conducted in 2017 around the Beitbridge border post outside Musina where they were deployed to guard the borderline fence.

The case was held at Makhado Magistrate’s office as the Musina one was closed by labour inspectors because the building was not safe.

HAWKS spokesperson Matimba Maluleke says: “The seven soldiers who were arrested last month for assisting vehicle smuggling syndicates to smuggle stolen vehicles through the Limpopo River have appeared at the Makhado Magistrate’s Court and their bail was succulently opposed. Their bail was postponed to the 1st of September 2021.”