POLOKWANE – Swift action by the Limpopo Tracking Team alongside multiple private security stakeholders, has led to the recovery of a stolen Ford Ranger Wildtrak worth R800 000 and the arrest of two suspects.

The Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said intelligence about bakkie stolen in Brooklyn in Pretoria was received in the early hours of this mornings and that it was being driven towards the Beitbridge Port of Entry for smuggling into Zimbabwe.

“An urgent anti-smuggling operation was activated by the Limpopo Tracking Team with support from Tracker SA, Mighty Anti-Hijacking Security, Willie K9 Security, ELit Security, Limpopo Anti-Hijacking Security, and Tshimollo Security and Investigation. The vehicle was spotted on the N1 near Botlokwa, where members swiftly intercepted it. Two South African men, aged 31 and 44, were arrested for possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle,” Mashaba said.

He added that quick coordination prevented the vehicle from being smuggled across the border.

“The vehicle has been impounded for further investigation and the suspects will appear before the Sekgosese Magistrate’s Court on Monday (August 18).”

The provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe praised the teamwork, saying it showed the value of strong partnerships between SAPS and the private security sector in tackling cross-border vehicle crime.