POLOKWANE – The Limpopo police have scored another breakthrough against organised vehicle crime after a large-scale, intelligence-driven operation in the Modjadjiskloof policing area led to the seizure of seven vehicles linked to theft, robbery and fraud.

The Provincial Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit led the operation on Wednesday (November 19) in collaboration with specialised SAPS units, district teams, and private-sector partners.

The Limpopo police spokesperson, Col Malesela Ledwaba, said the officers arrived at a suspected scrapyard after receiving information about vehicles believed to be linked to criminal activity.

“During the coordinated search, 80 vehicles were inspected, resulting in seven being impounded for further forensic analysis.  These include two stolen Isuzu KB bakkies with Gauteng plates taken from Westenburg in 2021, a gold VW Polo stolen in Hebron in 2023 and a blue Renault Sandero reported stolen in Westenburg in 2021,” his statement read.

Police also confiscated two Ford Rangers, one belonging to a financial institution after the owner defaulted on payments, and another linked to a business robbery in Putfontein in 2023, as well as a white Nissan NP300 stolen in Thohoyandou earlier this year.

“The owner of the scrapyard was not present during the raid and police have since intensified efforts to locate him,” Ledwaba said.

The provincial police commissioner, Lt Gen Thembi Hadebe, applauded the successful operation, saying the results underscored the strength of coordinated policing.

“This operation shows the impact of integrated law enforcement and our partnerships with the private sector. Vehicle crime syndicates continue to threaten community safety and economic stability, and we will not relent in dismantling these networks,” she said.

The seized vehicles have been taken in for full forensic and investigative processing.