Limpopo police bust alleged car theft ring; stolen Porsche recovered
Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba confirmed that the arrests came after a recent raid in Nirvana, Polokwane, where officers discovered a dismantled luxury vehicle.
Ledwaba added that on July 9, during an intelligence-led operation, the Limpopo Tracking Team, in collaboration with private partners, recovered a stripped black Porsche Cayenne that had been reported stolen in May in the Zebediela policing area.
"The high-end vehicle was already stripped for parts at a workshop located along Nelson Mandela Drive in Nirvana."
He added that further searches uncovered a second stolen vehicle, a Toyota Tazz reported missing in October 2024 in the Seshego policing area, prompting police to deepen their investigation into the origins of the vehicles and the legitimacy of the reported cases.
This led to the arrest of two suspects who had falsely reported their vehicles as stolen.
"Two suspects, Paballo Masokameng, 37 years old, the alleged mastermind behind the Porsche case, and Emmanuel Boshomane, 37 years old, owner of the Toyota Tazz, were subsequently arrested. Both initially reported their vehicles stolen under false pretences," he said.
Ledwaba revealed that Masokameng, the owner of the Porsche, had initially claimed he was hijacked by three unknown men after offering them a lift.
However, investigations uncovered that he had staged the hijacking, stripped and sold parts of the vehicle, and delivered it to a workshop for dismantling. He was later arrested and has since appeared in court.
"He was arrested and charged with fraud, perjury, and defeating the ends of justice. He appeared before the Polokwane Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, July 15 and is expected to appear again on Wednesday, 16 July 2025, for a formal bail application." Ledwaba added.
Ledwaba further explained that the second suspect, Boshomane, a TVET College lecturer, was allegedly enlisted by Masokameng to stage the hijacking of his Toyota Tazz. The vehicle, reported stolen from Boshomane's home in Moletjie, Seshego, was later taken to the same workshop. Boshomane was also arrested and granted bail.
"The workshop owner allegedly decided to buy the car instead, changed its colour, and altered its registration number plates…Boshomane was arrested and also charged with fraud, perjury, and defeating the ends of justice."
He appeared in court on July 15, was granted R500 bail, and is expected back in court on 27 August."
Mustafar Hussain, the 49-year-old Tanzanian workshop owner, was also arrested during the operation. Charged with possession of stolen vehicles, he appeared in the Polokwane Magistrate's Court on July 11. He remains in custody and is set to apply for bail on July 16.
Meanwhile, Limpopo's Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has issued a stern warning to those who deliberately mislead law enforcement and abuse the legal system
"We will uncover the truth, no matter how elaborate the scheme. Those involved in deceiving the police and attempting to benefit from insurance fraud will be arrested and prosecuted," she said.
The Star
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