Stolen Golf 5 recovered stripped in Mpumalanga; two men charged

Two men have appeared in court after police found a stripped Volkswagen Golf 5 in Mpumalanga that had been reported stolen in Gauteng. The vehicle and its parts were recovered following a community tip-off and an intelligence-led police operation, authorities said.

Arrests and charges

Simphiwe Mandulo Mabuza, 29, and Sibusiso Ntuli, 40, appeared before the Chief Albert Luthuli Magistrate’s Court in Elukwatini on charges of possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle.

How the vehicle was found

Mpumalanga police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane said members of the Gert Sibande Highway Patrol received intelligence about a suspected stolen vehicle in Elukwatini on Wednesday afternoon and followed up at Nhlazatshe No. 6, where they discovered the stripped royal blue Volkswagen Golf 5.

Police records show the vehicle had been reported stolen in Dawn Park, Gauteng, during August 2026. The stripped vehicle parts were confiscated and will form part of the ongoing investigation, Ndubane said.

Additional allegations and next court date

The two suspects were arrested at the scene. Preliminary investigations, police said, revealed that one of the suspects was allegedly in contravention of the Immigration Act after failing to produce required documentation; an additional charge was added.

The case was postponed to September 17 for a formal bail application.

Police response and community role

Mpumalanga Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Apaphia Modise praised the officers involved and thanked community members who provided information that led to the recovery.

“We need a society that will not turn a blind eye when crime is committed, but will report it,” Modise said.

The recovery and arrests were reported by IOL, citing statements from Mpumalanga police officials.