All seven were, according to the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) Directorate Corporate Communication (DCC), “conducting an unauthorised operation” and “unlawfully” intercepted cigarette smugglers at around midnight on Tuesday 16 September. The unauthorised operation happened at Artonvilla, Musina, aka the Sediba sa Tlou base.

A DCC statement has it shots were fired during the unauthorised operation, illicit goods were seized and “some contraband was unlawfully concealed at the base”.

Acting on what is termed “credible intelligence”, military police and SA Police Service (SAPS) officers as well as “Military Intelligence” operatives followed up later the same day. Soldiers at the base, according to the statement, initially attempted to obstruct police and intelligence operatives by denying them access. The search and seizure component of the raid went ahead in the wake of what is said to be “engagement with senior SANDF officers”. All told, the raid netted six hidden boxes of illicit cigarettes inside the base, in addition to the 18 boxes already handed to SARS (SA Revenue Service).

All seven suspects were taken into custody and face charges of corruption, possession of illicit cigarettes, unlawful discharge of a firearm and defeating the ends of justice.

In addition to criminal charges, the uniformed personnel will face internal SANDF disciplinary “processes” with the outcomes determining further administrative and command decisions.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said the suspects are aged between 26 and 42 and include a female soldier.

The intelligence-driven raid on the base is part of an ongoing effort by Defence Intelligence Division of the Department of Defence (DoD) to crack down on soldiers collaborating with smugglers to bring contraband into South Africa. Last week’s raid coincided with a visit to the Operation Corona Limpopo AoO by Defence Intelligence Chief, Lieutenant General Thalita Mxakato.

The raid and the visit of the senior DoD intelligence officer to the Musina AoO is another example of the zero tolerance to corruption, smuggling and misconduct in SANDF ranks, the SANDF said. Personnel found in contravention of the law will, the SANDF statement has it, face the “full consequences” of both the military and civilian justice systems.

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