5 Foreign nationals arrested for cross-border vehicle theft syndicate
Police have arrested five suspects believed to be part of a cross-border vehicle theft syndicate operating between Limpopo and neighbouring countries.
POLOKWANE – Police have arrested five Mozambican nationals believed to be part of a cross-border vehicle theft syndicate operating between Limpopo, Gauteng, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the arrests followed a high-level intelligence-driven operation carried out in Polokwane by the Provincial Tracking Team, Provincial Investigation Unit, Polokwane Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit, Limpopo Highway Patrol, Tracker Connect and Tshimollo Security.
Vehicles smuggled to Mozambique and Zimbabwe
According to police, the syndicate targeted Isuzu bakkies and high-end 4×4 vehicles, including Toyota models, in the Seshego, Mankweng, Lebowakgomo, Polokwane and Westenburg policing areas.
Investigators believe the suspects used specialised devices to disable tracking systems before transporting the stolen vehicles to Gauteng, where fraudulent registration documents were created.
“The vehicles were then smuggled to Mozambique through the Lebombo Port of Entry and to Zimbabwe through the Beitbridge Port of Entry,” said Ledwaba.
Raids in Ladanna and Greenside yield arrests
Further intelligence led police to properties in Ladanna and Greenside Extensions 71 and 78 outside Polokwane.
During operations conducted between Tuesday and Wednesday (April 28-29), police raided the identified premises and recovered two vehicles which had reportedly been stolen in Seshego earlier this year.
A generator supposedly stolen during one of the vehicle theft incidents was also recovered, together with various housebreaking tools.
“Five Mozambican nationals aged between 26 and 42 were arrested at the properties, and were revealed to be in the country illegally,” said Ledwaba.
Group linked to 22 vehicle theft cases
Investigators have also linked the group to 22 vehicle theft cases reported between December 2024 and April 2026.
The suspects are expected to appear before the Seshego and Polokwane Magistrate’s Courts today (Thursday, April 30), facing charges including theft of motor vehicles, possession of suspected stolen property and contravention of the Immigration Act.
