Two suspects, aged 32 and 33, were arrested during an anti-smuggling operation in Limpopo from Sunday until Monday. The operation was launched in the Capricorn District and involved the detection of two vehicles intended for smuggling out of the country to Zimbabwe through Beitbridge port of entry. The police responded swiftly, stopping two Toyota Fortuner 2.8 and a white Toyota Hilux GD6 double cab being driven along the R71 from Boyne in Mankweng policing area towards Polokwane.
Upon searching the vehicles, the drivers failed to produce valid documents. Police found that both vehicles were fitted with false registration number plates and false license discs. The two drivers were immediately arrested. Preliminary police investigations revealed that the grey Toyota Fortuner 2.8, valued at R900,000, was reported stolen at Muldersdrift, Gauteng province on Saturday, June 22, 2024. The white Toyota Hilux double cab, valued at R700,000, was also reported stolen in Brooklyn, Pretoria, Gauteng province, on Saturday, June 22, 2024.
The two popular vehicles, the sport utility vehicle and the bakkie, have a combined value estimated at R1.6 million. The provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has applauded the law enforcement team members for recovering the stolen vehicles and praised the officers for their "always being alert and hands-on to deal immensely with criminality" within the province.
The two arrested men are scheduled to appear before Mankweng Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. Police investigations are still ongoing. Last year, a 35-year-old South African man, Shane Mthombeni, was convicted and sentenced to six years behind bars after being arrested while driving a stolen Toyota Fortuner to Zimbabwe.
