LIMPOPO – Two suspects, aged 43 and 45, are expected to appear before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court today (July 13), on charges of possession of suspected stolen motor vehicles.

The arrests follow an intelligence-driven anti-smuggling operation on Saturday, in which police intercepted two vehicles allegedly destined for the Beitbridge Port of Entry.

Stolen vehicles travelling in convoy

The operation was conducted by the Provincial Tracking Team and the Provincial Investigation Unit, working together with ShadowSecure Security, Tshimollo Security and Investigations, Tracker Connect and Limpopo Tactical Security.

Police received information about two vehicles that had allegedly been stolen in Gauteng and were travelling along the N1 en route to Beitbridge, where they were suspected to be destined for smuggling out of the country.

Members immediately operationalised the information and maintained observation along the N1 South.

Vehicles intercepted in Westenburg

The two vehicles, travelling in convoy, were spotted and intercepted in the Westenburg policing area outside Polokwane.

Preliminary investigation confirmed that a silver Toyota Corolla Cross had been reported stolen in the Brooklyn policing area in Pretoria. The 43-year-old South African driver was arrested at the scene.

Further investigation established that the second vehicle, a Mazda 2, had been reported stolen in the Silverton policing area in Pretoria. The 45-year-old Zimbabwean national driving the vehicle was also arrested.

Cases opened, vehicles seized

Cases of possession of suspected stolen motor vehicles were registered at Westenburg Police Station. The recovered vehicles have been seized for further investigation.