LIMPOPO – A Toyota Prado VX valued at approximately R900 000, allegedly being transported towards the Zimbabwean border, was recovered at Capricorn Toll Plaza in the Bandelierkop policing area on Tuesday morning, October 20.

SAPS Provincial Tracking Team, working alongside other law-enforcement and security personnel, acted on information about a vehicle travelling from Gauteng towards Beitbridge, allegedly destined to be smuggled across the border.

Vehicle stopped at toll plaza

The team located and stopped the vehicle at the toll plaza.

Police verification subsequently confirmed that the Toyota Prado VX had been reported stolen in the Berea policing area in KwaZulu-Natal.

A 40-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of possessing a stolen motor vehicle.

The operation involved the SAPS Provincial Tracking Team, Limpopo Tactical, Tshimollo Security and Investigations, and Shadow Secure.

Commissioner commends team

Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers commended the team and its partners for recovering the vehicle before it could be taken across the border.

Police said operations targeting vehicle theft, cross-border smuggling and organised crime would continue.

Court appearance

The arrested man is expected to appear in the Makhado Magistrate’s Court today (October 21), on a charge of possession of a stolen motor vehicle.

Police investigations are ongoing.