A Mpumalanga company, Uptown Superstore, has been found guilty of dealing in counterfeit cigarettes. The owners, Riaz Moolla (42), Fatima Moolla (62) and Suliman Ismail Moolla (67), were initially charged in their personal capacity.
The individual cases against the trio were later withdrawn and they were charged as a company. However this decision comes with conditions that Uptown has to comply with, within the next three months.
“Uptown Superstore Store was fined R600 000, on condition that the company also contribute to the community by purchasing 504 durable quality double seater desks for four schools,” said the Mpumalanga Hawks.
THE COUNTERFEIT CIGARETTES WEB
“The total of 4710 packets of illicit cigarettes valued at R107 700 were seized from their business,” the Hawks continued.
According to the Hawks, Riaz Moolla was arrested on 09 September 2024 for selling counterfeit cigarettes. He was later released on bail. On 17 July 2025, another warrant of arrest against Fatima and Suliman was executed. They all appeared in court for day one of trial on 29 July 2025.
“The company director Suliman entered into a plea agreement,” said the Hawks.
A VICTORY FOR MPUMALANGA HAWKS
The company was sentenced for Contravention of the Tobacco Products Act, Contravention of Customs and Excise Act and Contravention of Value Added Tax Act.
The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Nico Gerber, congratulated the investigation team for the outcome.
“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,” Gerber concluded.
SHOULD THIS KIND OF SENTENCE BE MADE COMPULSORY?
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