WESTERN CAPE – Sheik Aboo Muhammed Zakkariyah (26) appeared in the Cape Town Regional Court on 22 June 2021 for sentencing following his arrest at the Cape Town International Airport on route to Dubai.

The sterling work of Custom officials from the South African Revenue Services (SARS) culminated in the discovery of $156 850 in cash, equivalent to R1.9 million, concealed in white envelopes inside the luggage belonging to Zakkariyah.

The Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team were involved with the probe since his arrest on the 11 May 2018, resulting in his travel plans to depart for Dubai coming to an abrupt end.

Zakkariyah was initially charged for contravention of the Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964, however he entered into a plea agreement sentence with the state and was subsequently found guilty on contravening the Exchange Control Regulations, 1961.

The Cape Town Regional Court sentenced Zakkariyah to six years imprisonment of which four years is suspended for five years on condition that he is not convicted of the same offence during the period of his suspension. He will effectively serve a two years imprisonment.

The National Head of the Hawks, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya welcomed the recovery and sentencing and applauded the collaborative effort between the Hawks and SARS Custom officials. He further commended the joint team saying “let us continue to apply a multi-disciplinary approach in tackling serious economic crimes on all our Ports of Entries”.

Source: South African Police Service