South African, Zimbabwean arrested with stolen vehicles in Limpopo

A 43-year-old South African man and a 45-year-old Zimbabwean national have been arrested in Limpopo after police intercepted two vehicles allegedly stolen in Gauteng and suspected to be destined for smuggling across the Beitbridge border.

The suspects were arrested during an intelligence-driven operation conducted on Saturday.

Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the operation was carried out by the Provincial Tracking Team and the Provincial Investigation Unit, working in collaboration with ShadowSecure Security, Tshimollo Security and Investigations, Tracker Connect and Limpopo Tactical Security.

According to Ledwaba, police received intelligence that two vehicles reported stolen in Gauteng were travelling in convoy along the N1 towards the Beitbridge border.

"Officers immediately operationalised the information and maintained surveillance along the N1 South. The two vehicles travelling in convoy were spotted and intercepted in the Westenburg policing area outside Polokwane," he said.

Preliminary investigations established that the first vehicle, a silver Toyota Corolla Cross, had been reported stolen in the Brooklyn policing area in Pretoria. Its driver, a 43-year-old South African man, was arrested at the scene.

Police also established that the second vehicle, a Mazda 2, had been reported stolen in the Silverton policing area in Pretoria. The driver, a 45-year-old Zimbabwean national, was also arrested.

Ledwaba said cases of possession of suspected stolen motor vehicles had been opened at Westenburg Police Station.

"The recovered vehicles have been seized for further investigation," he said.

The two suspects are expected to appear before the Polokwane Magistrate's Court on Monday on charges of possession of suspected stolen motor vehicles.

Acting Limpopo Provincial Commissioner Major General Jan Scheepers welcomed the arrests and commended the coordinated efforts of police and private security partners in disrupting suspected cross-border vehicle theft syndicates.