Counterfeit cigarettes destroyed

Florentia Roman

27 July 2012

Western Cape customs officials today destroyed thousands of counterfeit cigarettes.  

The cigarettes, which are estimated to be worth 4 million-Rand, were destroyed on a farm outside Atlantis.  

It is believed around 80 percent of illicit cigarettes coming into South Africa are from Zimbabwe.  

South African Revenue Service spokesperson Adrian Lackay said they want to put a stop to the trade. 

Meanwhile, more than 16 million illegal cigarettes were seized across the country in May.