Two suspects who are allegedly part of a syndicate that steals cars from South Africa and sell to neighbouring African countries were arrested in Limpopo, Botlokwa with a stolen Ford Ranger 4×4 Wildtrac en route to Zimbabwe this Sunday afternoon.
According to the Limpopo Spokesperson for the police Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba, police received information about a Ford Ranger stolen around 02:00 in the Brooklyn policing area, Pretoria.
“The information indicated that the vehicle, a Ford Ranger Wildtrak 4×4 valued at R800 000 was being driven towards the Beitbridge port of entry for smuggling. The Limpopo Tracking Team, supported by Tracker SA, Mighty Anti-Hijacking Security, Willie K9 Security, ELit Security, Limpopo Anti-Hijacking Security, and Tshimollo Security and Investigation, immediately activated an anti-smuggling operation at Botlokwa outside the Polokwane town,” she said.
“The vehicle was spotted travelling on the N1 near Botlokwa and the SAPS members intercepted, pulled it over, and found two South African men aged between 31 and 44. Both suspects were arrested on the spot for possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle,” said Brig Mashaba.
“The quick response by the operational team prevented the vehicle from being smuggled across the border into Zimbabwe. The recovered Ford Ranger has been impounded for further investigation. The suspects were due to appear before the Sekgosese Magistrate’s Court yesterday , 18” said Mashaba.
In a separate incident in the Limpopo Province on Saturday, a 33-year-old man was arrested by the SAPS Flying Squad after being found in the possession of a stolen vehicle (a black Kia Sonet worth about R400 000) on the N1 South of the Polokwane town.
The SAPS Flying Squad, together with the private security company, received an alert about a black Kia Sonet vehicle that was reportedly stolen in the Gauteng province, Bramley Policing area at the beginning of this month.
The team spotted the vehicle traveling at a high speed along the N1 South road and intercepted it near Polokwane.
The stolen car was already fitted with a fake registration number plate. He was arrested on the spot and was also expected to appear in the Polokwane Magistrate court yesterday Monday August 18.
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The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, praised the excellent coordination between the SAPS and private security partners.
