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The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
Limpopo police bust truck smuggling stolen goods to Malawi
Limpopo police struck a decisive blow against transnational crime, intercepting a highly organised smuggling syndicate transporting stolen goods from Cape Town to Malawi. At around 2:00 on Thursday, 5 June, the Limpopo Anti-Smuggling Task Team, working with Tshimollo Security and Investigation and Shadow Secure Technology, stopped a Scania truck with superlink trailers near the Polokwane weighbridge. The truck, believed to be part of a broader criminal network exploiting the Beitbridge border post, was found carrying a staggering cache of stolen items following an 18-hour search operation. 'This breakthrough represents a major victory against sophisticated criminal networks that have been exploiting our borders to traffic stolen goods,' said Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe. Stolen Goods Reveal Chopped Cars and Bikes Investigators uncovered chopped parts of a Ford Ranger stolen in Nyanga, including critical components like the engine and dashboard. Sixty disassembled motorcycles, hidden in drums and containers, were traced to thefts from at least seven police precincts across the Western Cape, such as Bellville, Muizenberg, and Sea Point. Electronic goods suspected to have been stolen, including plasma televisions, sound systems, solar tower batteries, and cell phones, were also added to the haul. All were concealed in an elaborate smuggling setup designed to pass undetected through one of the busiest trade routes in southern Africa. 'The collaboration between our Anti-Smuggling Task Team and private security partners demonstrates the power of coordinated law enforcement efforts,' Hadebe noted. The total value of the recovered goods is estimated to exceed R3 million. Four Suspects to Face Justice Four foreign nationals, aged between 37 and 50, were arrested at the scene. They are expected to appear in the Polokwane Magistrate's Court on Monday, 9 June, to face charges related to possession of suspected stolen goods. Authorities have also seized the truck and trailers involved, treating the vehicle as key evidence in an ongoing investigation into cross-border smuggling syndicates. Hadebe assured the public, 'We will continue to target these criminal syndicates relentlessly until they are completely dismantled.' With police ramping up their focus on smuggling syndicates, are our borders finally tightening? 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.
The Citizen
20 hours ago
- The Citizen
Sophisticated smuggling network busted near Polokwane weighbridge
POLOKWANE – Limpopo police have dismantled one of the most sophisticated cross-border smuggling syndicates operating between South Africa and Malawi, recovering stolen goods worth more than R3m. The breakthrough came in the early hours of Thursday morning (June 5) when the Limpopo Anti-Smuggling Task Team, assisted by Tshimollo Security and Investigation and Shadow Secure Technology, intercepted a Scania truck pulling superlink trailers near the Polokwane weighbridge. The vehicle was travelling from Cape Town to Malawi via the Beitbridge Border Post. Following an 18-hour joint operation, officers recovered: Chopped parts of a Ford Ranger reported stolen in Nyanga, including the engine, dashboard, radiator, differential, and steering wheel. 60 disassembled motorcycles concealed in drums and containers, reported stolen from multiple Western Cape police stations including Bellville, Mfuleni, Muizenberg, Nyanga, Milnerton, Sea Point and Athlone. Stolen electronics, including plasma TVs, sound systems, solar tower batteries, and mobile phones. The Scania truck and trailers used in the smuggling operation. Four male suspects, all foreign nationals aged between 37 and 50, were arrested and are expected to appear before the Polokwane Magistrate's Court on Monday (June 9) on charges of possession of suspected stolen goods. The provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, praised the operation: 'This breakthrough represents a major victory against sophisticated criminal networks exploiting our borders. The collaboration between our task team and private partners shows the power of coordinated enforcement. We will continue to target these syndicates until they are dismantled completely.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
26-05-2025
- IOL News
PICS: Zimbabwean man arrested in Limpopo while driving Toyota RAV4 stolen in Pretoria
Zimbabwean man, Mhlalisi Moyo, was remanded in custody by the Polokwane Magistrate's Court after he was arrested for possession of suspected stolen motor vehicle, a Toyota RAV4. Image: SAPS The Polokwane Magistrate's Court has remanded 43-year-old Zimbabwean national Mhlalisi Moyo in custody after he was arrested in Limpopo for possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle. Provincial police spokesperson in Limpopo, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba, said Moyo appeared in court on Friday, and his case was postponed to May 29 for formal bail application. Last week, Mashaba said Moyo was arrested during a joint operation comprising the SAPS anti-smuggling task team, Tshimollo Security and Investigation, Reflex Anti-hijacking Security, and Tracker SA. 'The Toyota RAV4 was intercepted at approximately 8 pm (on Wednesday) near Shell Ultra City in Polokwane on the N1 highway,' 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ Zimbabwean man, Mhlalisi Moyo, was remanded in custody by the Polokwane Magistrate's Court after he was arrested for possession of suspected stolen motor vehicle, a Toyota RAV4. Image: SAPS The sport utility vehicle was reported stolen in Brooklyn, Tshwane. 'The 43-year-old foreign national male was arrested at the scene,' said Mashaba. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. On Friday, IOL reported that the Mokopane Magistrate's Court remanded 34-year-old Lucky Msizi Tshabangu in custody after he was arrested in Limpopo, while driving a stolen vehicle towards Zimbabwe. At the time, Mashaba said the case against Tshabangu was postponed to Monday, enabling him to get legal representation. Tshabangu is facing charges of possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle, as well as reckless and negligent driving after he allegedly tried to flee from police. The 34-year-old South African national was arrested at Mokopane last week, and police believe he was travelling to Zimbabwe with the stolen vehicle. Lucky Msizi Tshabangu, 34, was remanded in custody after he was arrested in Limpopo, while allegedly driving a stolen Toyota Corolla Cross vehicle towards Zimbabwe. Image: SAPS 'In an intelligence-driven operation, police officers intercepted a Toyota Corolla Cross at Mokopane CBD on the R101, which was en route to the Beitbridge port of entry,' said Mashaba. 'Investigations revealed that this vehicle had been reported stolen from the Wierdabrug policing area in Tshwane on Friday (16 May 2025).' Meanwhile, provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has praised the vigilance of all law enforcement units involved. "The recovery of these twelve vehicles represents a significant blow to this criminal networks. Our officers and their partners continue to work tirelessly to dismantle these syndicates that threaten our communities and economy," she said. IOL News
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 Citizen
20-05-2025
- The Citizen
Young women arrested in vehicle smuggling bust near Polokwane
POLOKWANE – Two young women, age 19 and 20, will appear before the Polokwane Magistrate's Court today on charges of possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle. The duo were arrested on the R101 near the Polokwane weighbridge on Sunday night (May 18) during a coordinated anti-smuggling operation involving SAPS' Anti-Smuggling team, Tshimollo Security and Investigation and Reflex Anti-Hijacking Security. You might also want to read: Limpopo police stop stolen vehicle en route to Zimbabwe The Limpopo police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba said officers intercepted a double cab bakkie on the R101, with preliminary investigations confirming that the vehicle was stolen last Friday (May 16) in the Garsfontein area in Pretoria. The vehicle was destined for the Beitbridge Border Post to be smuggled into Zimbabwe. 'During the stop, one male suspect fled into nearby bushes, while two female suspects attempted to escape but were apprehended after a foot chase and arrested,' he said. In a separate incident, officers intercepted an SUV in the Mokopane CBD, also en route to Beitbridge, with investigations revealing that the vehicle was reported stolen in the Wierdabrug policing area in Pretoria on Friday. 'The driver, a 34-year-old undocumented foreign national was arrested and will appear before the Mokopane Magistrate Court today,' Ledwaba said. The provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has commended the operational teams for their relentless efforts, resulting in the recovery of the stolen vehicles valued at R1.4m. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
