Byline: Nonjabuliso Nhlambo
31 July 2025
Three accused, Riaz Moolla (42), Fatima Moolla (62) and Suliman Ismail Moolla (67) case was withdrawn from Evander Regional Court on personal capacity, but the company, Uptown Superstore Store was fined R600 000.00 on condition that the company also contribute to the community by purchasing 504 durable quality double seater desks for four schools in Highveld Ridge Circuit High Schools.
The company was given three months to comply with the court judgment.
The sentence comes after the company is accused of dealing with counterfeit cigarettes. The total of 4710 packets of illicit cigarettes valued at R107 700 were seized from their business.
During the seizure on 09 September 2024, 42-year Riaz Moolla was arrested by the Hawks Secunda based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation after the warrant of arrest against him was issued by the court. He was released on bail.
On 17 July 2025, another warrant of arrest against Fatima and Suliman was executed. They were also warned to appear before court alongside Riaz on 29 July 2025 for trial.
The company director Suliman entered into a plea agreement, and the matter was rolled over to Wednesday, 30 July 2025.
The Moollas charges were withdrawn in their personal capacity, and the company was fined R600 000.00 and ordered to provide community support by purchasing 504 durable quality two-seater desks for the four schools. 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 commended the investigation team, National Prosecuting Authority, and the judiciary for the hard work “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,” added the General.
