A CAR reported stolen in Berea last month was recovered at a 'chop shop' on the South Coast by Port Shepstone police last week.
According to provincial police spokesman, Major Thulani Zwane, members of Port Shepstone 10111 SAPS Highway Patrol sourced information about a stolen motor vehicle being stripped in Nkombo Ward, Malangeni. On Wednesday, 28 January they raided the premises.
“The members allegedly found the suspects busy stripping a Toyota Avanza that had been stolen in Berea on 24 January. Ndodo Clifford Dlamini (41) and Bhekumuzi Protas Dube (24) were arrested,” he said.
Police impounded the Toyota Avanza and seized a large quantity of tools, including ignition switches, an angle grinder, sanding machine, compressor and various items that are used to panel-beat and spray-paint a vehicle.
“Among the seized items were a die stamp punch set, which is used to print a false engine number after the original has been filed off,” said Zwane.
The owner of the Toyota Avanza had parked her vehicle in St Thomas Road, and when she returned later she discovered that the vehicle had been stolen. A case of theft was reported to the Berea police station.
Dlamini and Dube appeared in the Durban Magistrate's Court on Friday, 30 January and were remanded back into police custody until their next appearance on 4 February. They are facing charges of theft of a motor vehicle and being in possession of car-breaking implements.
Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni, the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, commended the members of the Port Shepstone 10111 Highway Patrol for their sterling work. “The Highway Patrol has made a significant impact on crime within a short space of time. The members have made a number of successful arrests and recoveries of stolen property and drugs since their unit was introduced late last year. I urge them to continue in this vein, thereby keeping our communities safe,” she said.
