SUVS and bakkies are among the vehicle makes targeted by car thieves in the Westville area, which has seen a worrying increase in vehicle theft.

Westville and Pinetown were among the Durban areas from where cars destined for smuggling across the South African, Mozambican border were stolen in the past few weeks.

This came to light after the SAPS task team deployed to eManguzi recovered 20 vehicles of different makes which, based on investigations, were stolen in and around Durban Central, Durban North, Westville, Chatsworth, Pinetown and Umhlali.

These were recovered after police recently arrested five vehicle smugglers.

Eleven bakkies, seven SUVs, a minibus and a sedan were among the vehicles recovered during separate intelligence-driven operations.

Also read: Drastic increase of motor vehicle theft in Westville a concern

According to the local police, in Westville, which “has seen a significant increase” in motor vehicle theft, VW Polos and the T-Crosses, Toyota Fortuners (an SUV) and Hilux bakkies are some of the makes targeted by thieves.

Westville SAPS communications officer, Captain Elizabeth Squires, said one of the hotspot areas is central Westville, “especially around malls and schools when there are events taking place”.

“Vehicles are also being taken from residential premises during the night when gates are derailed or gates are being broken to gain entry,” explained Squires.

She added that criminals normally gain entry to vehicles by smashing windows or by “forcing locks”.

“However, with the new keyless vehicles, the criminals are making use of electronic devices to generate electronic keys or codes to gain entry,” said Squires.

Criminals, she added, also make use of signal jammers so that the stolen vehicles cannot be tracked by tracking companies.

Meanwhile, SAPS national spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk said the SAPS task team deployed in eManguzi continues to deal decisively with cross border crimes.

“In the latest takedown, the team followed up on information they obtained on a vehicle destined to cross the Kosi Bay border. The vehicle was successfully intercepted on Monday, 9 June, leading to the arrest of one suspect who was found in possession of various fraudulent documents to cross the border. Preliminary investigation reveals that the suspect may be linked to vehicle insurance fraud; investigations remain ongoing,” said Van Wyk.

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