Police recover stolen bakkie at Jeppes Reef border post after theft almost three years ago
The suspect was entering into South Africa from eSwatini through the border post at Jeppes Reef where he was charged with the possession of a stolen vehicle.
In November 2020, a grey Nissan NP200 bakkie was reportedly stolen in Sunnyside, Gauteng. Members of the border police in Jeppes Reef managed to recover the vehicle earlier this week, as soon as it entered South Africa from the Kingdom of eSwatini being driven by a 34-year-old man.
A report by the police indicates that the man, who is from eSwatini, was crossing the border at about 13:00 on July 24 when officials discovered that he (the suspect) was in fact driving a car that they were looking for after its owner had reported it stolen.
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The suspect failed to produce valid documentation for the car. He was arrested and charged for possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle.
Investigations have since revealed that the vehicle was cloned as the registration number plates that were fitted on it were not authentic, and it rather resembled another NP200 bakkie.
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The suspect is expected to appear in the Nkomazi Magistrate’s Court soon facing the said charge. The police cannot rule out the possibility of adding more charges against him pending further investigations.
The provincial SAPS commissioner, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela, has welcomed the arrest and further warned community members to refrain from buying suspected stolen items, including purchasing vehicles from unregistered dealers.
