Police Intercept R1.4m Worth of Stolen Vehicles Near Beitbridge

Limpopo police have recovered two stolen vehicles, worth an estimated R1.4 million, in operations aimed at curbing cross-border smuggling into Zimbabwe.

The vehicles – a Toyota Hilux and a Toyota Corolla Cross – were intercepted during separate anti-smuggling operations over the weekend. The first was stopped near the Polokwane weighbridge on the R101, while the second was located in Mokopane CBD.

According to provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba, the Hilux was intercepted on Sunday by a joint task team comprising the SAPS Anti-Smuggling Unit, Tshimollo Security and Investigation, and Reflex Anti-Hijacking Security. One male suspect fled into nearby bushes, but two female suspects, aged 19 and 20, were caught after attempting to escape on foot.

The Toyota Hilux had been reported stolen on 16 May in Garsfontein, Pretoria East.

Later the same day, police stopped the second vehicle – a Toyota Corolla Cross – also on the R101. The driver, a 34-year-old undocumented foreign national, was arrested after officers discovered the vehicle had been reported stolen in Wierdabrug, City of Tshwane, on Friday.

Both vehicles were headed for the Beitbridge port of entry, the main border crossing between South Africa and Zimbabwe.

The two women are expected to appear in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court, while the male suspect is set to appear in Mokopane.

Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe praised the officers involved for their ongoing efforts in tackling vehicle smuggling syndicates.

Just last week, Limpopo’s Anti-Smuggling Team intercepted another stolen Toyota Corolla Cross near Malales Drift as it was being driven through the Limpopo River towards Zimbabwe. The vehicle got stuck in the sand during the attempted escape.

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Sourced:IOL

Picture: SAPS