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The Star
20-05-2025
- The Star
Limpopo police dismantle vehicle smuggling ring, recover R1. 4 million in stolen cars
Limpopo police have dismantled a vehicle smuggling ring, arresting three suspects and recovering two vehicles valued at about R1.4 million. Police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said that a joint operation between the SAPS Anti-Smuggling Team, Tshimollo Security and Investigation, and Reflex Anti-Hijacking Security successfully intercepted a Toyota Hilux GD6 double cab on the R101 near the Polokwane weighbridge. Mashaba explained that during the interception, three suspects fled the scene — one managed to evade police, while two were apprehended. 'During the stop, one male suspect fled into nearby bushes, while two female suspects attempted to escape but were apprehended after a foot chase. The female suspects, aged 19 and 20, were arrested and are facing charges of possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle.' He further stated that initial investigations confirmed the vehicle was stolen on May 16 in the Garsfontein policing area of Pretoria, Gauteng province. The Star also reported that on Monday, police intercepted a Toyota Corolla Cross at Mokopane CBD on the R101, reported stolen on May 16 in the Wierdabrug policing area. The driver, a 34-year-old undocumented foreign national, was arrested following a high-speed chase. Mashaba stated that both vehicles, valued at approximately R1.4 million, were destined to be smuggled across the Beitbridge Port of Entry into Zimbabwe on Sunday, 18 May 2025. The Toyota Hilux suspects and the Corolla Cross driver are due in Polokwane and Mokopane magistrates' courts, respectively, on May 20. 'Both suspects arrested with the Toyota Hilux will appear before the Polokwane Magistrate Court on Tuesday, 20 May 2025, while the suspect arrested with the Toyota Corolla Cross will appear before the Mokopane Magistrate Court on the same day.' Meanwhile, Limpopo Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe praised the teams for their relentless efforts in recovering the stolen vehicles. The Star [email protected]
IOL News
20-05-2025
- IOL News
Limpopo police dismantle vehicle smuggling ring, recover R1. 4 million in stolen cars
Limpopo authorities have made significant strides in combating vehicle smuggling, showcasing effective collaboration between law enforcement agencies to prevent the illicit trafficking of stolen vehicles. Limpopo police have dismantled a vehicle smuggling ring, arresting three suspects and recovering two vehicles valued at about R1.4 million. Police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said that a joint operation between the SAPS Anti-Smuggling Team, Tshimollo Security and Investigation, and Reflex Anti-Hijacking Security successfully intercepted a Toyota Hilux GD6 double cab on the R101 near the Polokwane weighbridge. Mashaba explained that during the interception, three suspects fled the scene — one managed to evade police, while two were apprehended.
The South African
20-05-2025
- The South African
Stolen vehicles worth R1.4 million recovered in Limpopo
Police in Limpopo have recovered two stolen vehicles valued at approximately R1.4 million in separate operations aimed at curbing cross-border vehicle smuggling into Zimbabwe. The coordinated efforts involved the SAPS Anti-Smuggling Team, Tshimollo Security and Investigation, and Reflex Anti-Hijacking Security. According to South African Police Services, officers intercepted a Toyota Hilux GD6 double cab on the R101 near the Polokwane weighbridge. One male suspect fled into nearby bushes, and police apprehended two female suspects, aged 19 and 20, after a foot chase. Police arrested both suspects and charged them with possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle. Investigators confirmed that someone had reported the vehicle stolen on Friday, 16 May 2025, in the Garsfontein policing area in Pretoria. In a separate intelligence-led operation, officers intercepted a Toyota Corolla Cross in Mokopane's CBD. The vehicle was also en route to the Beitbridge Port of Entry. SAPS confirmed that someone had reported the vehicle stolen in the Wierdabrug policing area on Friday 16 May. Police arrested the driver, a 34-year-old undocumented foreign national, on the scene. The Polokwane Magistrate's Court will hear the case against the two female suspects on Tuesday, 20 May 2025. The male suspect arrested in Mokopane will appear before the Mokopane Magistrate's Court on the same day. The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe praised the operational teams for their swift and coordinated action. Which led to the successful recovery of the stolen vehicles. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
20-05-2025
- IOL News
PICS: Police intercept stolen Toyota vehicles valued at R1. 4 million en route to Zimbabwe
A man escaped on foot, evading arrest while two women aged 19 and 20 were arrested for possession of a Toyota Hilux GD-6 double cab bakkie. Image: SAPS Police in Limpopo have announced 'a significant breakthrough' with the recovery of two vehicles, valued at approximately R1.4 million, which were destined to be smuggled out of South Africa. Provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said the vehicles were meant to be driven across the Beitbridge port of entry, into the neighbouring Zimbabwe on Sunday. 'In a co-ordinated anti-smuggling operation involving SAPS Anti-Smuggling Team, Tshimollo Security and Investigation, and Reflex Anti-Hijacking Security, the officers intercepted a Toyota Hilux GD-6 double cab on the R101 near Polokwane weighbridge. During the stop, one male suspect fled into nearby bushes, while two female suspects attempted to escape but were apprehended after a foot chase,' said Mashaba. The women aged 19 and 20 were arrested, and are facing charges of possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. Preliminary investigations confirmed that the vehicle was stolen on 16 May 2025 in the Garsfontein policing area in Pretoria East, Gauteng. In a separate but related intelligence-driven operation, Mashaba said officers intercepted a Toyota Corolla Cross at Mokopane CBD on the R101 road, which was also en route to the Beitbridge port of entry. 'Investigations revealed that this vehicle had been reported stolen at the Wierdabrug (City of Tshwane) policing area on Friday. The driver, a 34-year-old undocumented foreign national, was arrested,' said Mashaba. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The two women who were found with the stolen Toyota Hilux are scheduled to appear before the Polokwane Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. On the other hand, the man who was found with the stolen Toyota Corolla Cross will appear before the Mokopane Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. An undocumented man was found driving a stolen Toyota Corolla Cross towards Beitbridge port of entry. Image: SAPS Meanwhile, provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has commended the operational teams for their relentless efforts, which resulted in the recovery of the stolen vehicles. Last week, IOL reported that members of Provincial Anti-Smuggling Team in Limpopo intercepted a suspected stolen white Toyota Corolla Cross vehicle intended to be smuggled to neighbouring Zimbabwe. At the time, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, said the sport utility vehicle was about to be smuggled out of South Africa through an illegal crossing in the Limpopo River. 'Police received intelligence information about the vehicle that was driven along Malales Drift heading to the banks of the Limpopo River and operationalised on it,' he said. 'At about 6am, the vehicle fitting the description was spotted in the bushes while attempting to cross the Limpopo river to Zimbabwe. Police tried to stop it but sped off and got stuck in the sand.' IOL News
