Raymond Sibusiso Tshabalala (28) was rearrested on Thursday, September 7 after he absconded while out on bail. Tshabalala is believed to be a mastermind behind a cross-border vehicle smuggling syndicate that operates between Gauteng and Limpopo. It is alleged that in the early hours of December 9, 2017, the accused together with accomplices broke into the Ford dealership in Phalaborwa and stole six Ford vehicles, comprising of two Ford Everest and four Ford Rangers to the value of R3 235 000.

Also read: Hawks arrested vehicle theft ringleader

An intensive investigation was conducted by the Hawks which resulted in the recovery of five of the six stolen motor vehicles in the Masisi area near the Limpopo River on the same day they were reported stolen. The vehicles were intercepted from crossing the Limpopo River into Zimbabwe. All the drivers ran away but through the assistance of the community, one of the men, Tsununu Ahmad Maphosa (36), was arrested, convicted, and sentenced while attempting to flee.

The Hawks continued their investigation until Tshabalala was arrested in Gauteng on January 9, 2019. He was later released on bail but never showed up for his court appearances and a warrant of arrest was issued against him. Tshabalala appeared in the Musina Magistrate’s Court on Monday, September 11 and will remain in custody until his next appearance on September 29.