R1 million worth of skin lightening creams seized at Zimbabwe border, truck driver arrested

Police in Limpopo have arrested 49-year-old foreigner Anolt Tafa for violating the Medicines and Related Substances Act and the Customs and Excise Act. He was allegedly found with a consignment of skin bleaching creams that was en route to South Africa.

Tafa appeared before the Musina court where he was remanded in custody by the police.

“Police received information about a truck travelling from Zimbabwe to South Africa loaded with prohibited cosmetic products (skin lightening creams). An undercover operation was conducted,” said Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa, Limpopo Province spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks.

The law enforcement team conducted a thorough search for the truck and it was found abandoned at the SA Revenue Service customs yard at Beitbridge Port.

“There was a vehicle parked in front of that truck to prevent it from being moved. The operational members continued to observe,” Mmuroa said.

Last Friday, Tafa, the driver, went to the truck and was found sleeping in the vehicle by police.

Law enforcement officers asked the driver to open the truck’s tarp, which he did.

Mmuroa said illegal cosmetic products were found in the form of 48 boxes containing 144 units of Caro Light Oil; 1,614 boxes containing 72 units of Caro Light Cream in 120 millilitres; 348 boxes containing 48 units of Caro Light Cream in 300 millilitres; 300 boxes containing 48 units of Perfect White Cream in 150 millilitres; and 280 boxes containing 24 units of Perfect White Cream in 300 millilitres.

“The products were estimated to be worth over R960,000. The driver was unable to produce valid documents as required by the agents. Preliminary investigation revealed that no customs declaration documents were available for the consignment,” he said.

Anolt Tafa was arrested in Limpopo after a truck travelling from Zimbabwe to South Africa, loaded with banned cosmetic products and skin lightening creams, was intercepted. Photo: Hawks

Tafa was immediately arrested.

The case was registered at the Musina Police Station and transferred to the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crimes Investigation Unit for further processing.

“Both trucks and prohibited cosmetic products were seized. The Hawks’ investigation into serious commercial crime continues with investigations,” Mmuroa said.

Meanwhile, the Hawks’ Limpopo provincial leader, Major General Gopz Govender, has welcomed the arrest and seizure of the illegal cosmetics.

He added that the Hawks will not sleep until transnational crime is eradicated.

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