IOL
Police in Limpopo have announced “a significant breakthrough” with the recovery of two vehicles, valued at approximately R1.4 million, which were destined to be smuggled out of South Africa.
Provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said the vehicles were meant to be driven across the Beitbridge port of entry, into the neighbouring Zimbabwe on Sunday.
“In a co-ordinated anti-smuggling operation involving SAPS Anti-Smuggling Team, Tshimollo Security and Investigation, and Reflex Anti-Hijacking Security, the officers intercepted a Toyota Hilux GD-6 double cab on the R101 near Polokwane weighbridge. During the stop, one male suspect fled into nearby bushes, while two female suspects attempted to escape but were apprehended after a foot chase,” said Mashaba.
The women aged 19 and 20 were arrested, and are facing charges of possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle.
Preliminary investigations confirmed that the vehicle was stolen on 16 May 2025 in the Garsfontein policing area in Pretoria East, Gauteng.
In a separate but related intelligence-driven operation, Mashaba said officers intercepted a Toyota Corolla Cross at Mokopane CBD on the R101 road, which was also en route to the Beitbridge port of entry.
“Investigations revealed that this vehicle had been reported stolen at the Wierdabrug (City of Tshwane) policing area on Friday. The driver, a 34-year-old undocumented foreign national, was arrested,” said Mashaba.
The two women who were found with the stolen Toyota Hilux are scheduled to appear before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
On the other hand, the man who was found with the stolen Toyota Corolla Cross will appear before the Mokopane Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
An undocumented man was found driving a stolen Toyota Corolla Cross towards Beitbridge port of entry. Image: SAPS
Meanwhile, provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has commended the operational teams for their relentless efforts, which resulted in the recovery of the stolen vehicles.
Last week, IOL reported that members of Provincial Anti-Smuggling Team in Limpopo intercepted a suspected stolen white Toyota Corolla Cross vehicle intended to be smuggled to neighbouring Zimbabwe.
At the time, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, said the sport utility vehicle was about to be smuggled out of South Africa through an illegal crossing in the Limpopo River.
“Police received intelligence information about the vehicle that was driven along Malales Drift heading to the banks of the Limpopo River and operationalised on it,” he said.
“At about 6am, the vehicle fitting the description was spotted in the bushes while attempting to cross the Limpopo river to Zimbabwe. Police tried to stop it but sped off and got stuck in the sand.”