Rundu
The two Zimbabwean truck drivers who have been in custody since their arrest in May last year for allegedly smuggling contraband cigarettes will hear their judgement next week.
The duo represented themselves when they testified in their defence in court yesterday after they pleaded not guilty to the charges against them on Tuesday when the trial started.
Lyson Malangiza, 35, and Trust Marudza, 46, were charged with smuggling after they were arrested on the eve-ning of May 6 last year. The two trucks they were driving were together carrying 1 130 boxes of cigarettes worth N$11.3 million. The cigarettes were concealed in secret compartments in the trucks designed to transport liquefied natural gas.
Magistrate Desmond Beukes presided while Albert Titus prosecuted.
The case was remanded to next week Friday, February 26 for judgement. The accused were not granted bail due to the seriousness of their case and because they are foreigners who might abscond if they are granted bail.
The two last year after their arrest said they worked for a company called Cidrade Haulage which is based in Harare, Zimbabwe, and while they were in South Africa they were approached by the company Wiltrade 87 Pty (Ltd), which is based in Johannesburg, South Africa. The company was looking for drivers for the two trucks, according to their defence.
The two said the owner of the two trucks apparently said they were empty and that they should drive them to Harare and back through Namibia.
They claimed they did not know there were cigarette consignments in the trucks, as they were only in charge of driving the vehicles.
Other people were responsible for loading and off-loading the trucks, the two accused claimed.