31-07-2025
Business fined R600k, ordered to supply desks in illicit cigarette plea bargain
Dealing in counterfeit cigarettes earned Uptown Superstore Store in Mpumalanga a massive fine of R600 000 and an order to buy more than 500 desks for four Mpumalanga schools.
This after the director of the business entered into a plea agreement with the State in terms of which it pleaded guilty to the Contravention of the Tobacco Products Act, Contravention of Customs and Excise Act, and Contravention of Value Added Tax Act.
'It is an interesting sentence. Criminals are again out of pocket due to their crimes. The community is benefiting from this sentence, and it will definitely assist the next generation in their needs for a better education,' the provincial head of the Hawks, Major General Nico Gerber, said.
The Evander Regional Court gave the business three months to comply with the order, Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi revealed in a statement.
It has to buy 504 durable, quality double-seater desks.
Meanwhile, the court withdrew charges against the owners of the business, Riaz Moolla, 42, Fatima Moolla, 62, and Suliman Ismail Moolla, 67, in their personal capacities.
The business was charged after 4 710 packets of illicit cigarettes valued at R107 700 were seized from their business on 9 September last year.
Riaz was arrested by the Hawks at the time, and a warrant for the arrest against Fatima and Suliman was executed on 17 July.
As the director of the business, Suliman entered into the plea agreement.
