Stolen Pretoria bakkie recovered in Limpopo
Police believe the vehicle was being transported towards the border when it was intercepted during an intelligence-led operation.
A 45-year-old man was arrested outside Polokwane after allegedly being found in possession of a Toyota Hilux Legend Edition double-cab reported stolen in Pretoria.
The bakkie, valued at about R700 000, was recovered on the N1 South outside Polokwane on June 19, during an anti-smuggling operation conducted by law enforcement and private security partners.
According to SAPS Limpopo spokesperson, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba, police acted on information that the vehicle was being transported from Gauteng to Limpopo and was intended to be smuggled through the Beitbridge Port of Entry.
Officers of the Provincial Tracking Team and Provincial Investigation Unit, supported by private security companies, mounted an operation following the information received.
Police followed the progress of the bakkie along the N1 South and later spotted the vehicle travelling at high speed near a filling station outside of Polokwane.
The vehicle was stopped and searched, leading to the arrest of the driver.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the Toyota Hilux had been reported stolen at Loate Police Station in Pretoria.
The 45-year-old suspect was arrested and charged with possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle.
Provincial SAPS Commissioner of Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, praised the teams involved in the operation and recovery of the vehicle.
“This recovery demonstrates what we can achieve through intelligence-driven operations and strong partnerships between police and private security.
“We will continue to target cross-border vehicle smuggling syndicates and ensure stolen vehicles are recovered and ensure stolen vehicles are recovered and criminals are apprehended to face the full might of the law,” said Hadebe.
The recovery forms part of ongoing efforts by police to curb vehicle theft and disrupt syndicates involved in cross-border vehicle smuggling.
Police investigations into the matter are continuing.
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