Police thwart attempt to smuggle luxury car across Limpopo River

The suspects used donkeys to pull the new-shape Mercedes-Benz C220 across the sand.

The police have recovered yet another luxury vehicle during an attempted smuggling operation across the Limpopo River, reports the Bosveld Review.

The suspects used donkeys to pull the new-shape Mercedes-Benz C220 across the sand, but the vehicle got stuck in the sand on the opposite bank, said Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo.

Mojapelo added the police accosted the suspects just before the vehicle could be taken across to Zimbabwe, but the suspects fled into the nearby bushes.

The police investigations continue.

This new shape Mercedes Benz C220 was recovered. Picture: Limpop SAPS

This new shape Mercedes-Benz C220 was recovered. Picture: Limpopo SAPS.

The Letaba Herald shared this sound clip of the police report:

The incident follows a similar one in December last year in which a stolen vehicle that was semi-submerged in the Limpopo River was spotted by police and, on further investigation, it was found that the suspects, who fled into Zimbabwe, were using five donkeys to pull the vehicle out of the river, towards the Zimbabwe side, according to Mojapelo at the time.

Donkeys used to pull a stolen vehicle across the Limpopo River iN December 2016. Picture: SAPS

Also in December last year and about just 2km from the initial incident, police from a helicopter spotted a donkey cart that was found to be conveying goods towards the Zimbabwe side of the Limpopo River.

Police found this donkey cart transporting goods across the Limpopo River in December 2016. Picture: Letaba Herald

Further, a statement issued by Mojapelo last week said the crime intelligence-driven operation, comprising members from the Tactical Response Team, Public Order Police, the K9 unit and supported by the SA National Defence Force, continue to make “tremendous impact” on cross-border crimes, such as smuggling of stolen properties, including motor vehicles, reports the SAPS.

According to the statement, the operation is targeted at the areas along the borderline between Phafuri, Beitbridge and Pontdrift.

“In the success similar to the one in which the provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Nneke Ledwaba intercepted a stolen vehicle that was being pulled with donkeys in the middle of Limpopo River during December last year, the police in this operation managed to recover a vehicle that got stuck in the middle of the same river.

“The vehicle, a white Mercedes-Benz, was stolen in Durban, and it belongs to a renting company. It was apparently being smuggled into Zimbabwe when it got stuck. A 28-year-old suspect has been arrested for possession of suspected stolen vehicle,” read the statement.

The operation also saw the recovery of a Range Rover, valued at R900 000, after it was intercepted en route to Malawi, and the driver was arrested. “An amount of R30 000 was found in his possession. The vehicle was on the verge of crossing Beitbridge border post.”

A Ford Ranger was also intercepted when the suspects were about to cross the Limpopo River, but they fled into the bushes as the police pounced.

Three other vehicles, including an Audi A6, valued at R400 000, a Mercedes Benz C180 valued at R380 000 and a Datsun Go valued at R90 000, were also recovered along the N1, north of Musina, during this operation.

“Ledwaba has commended all members involved for their sterling performance. He concluded by stating that these successes will send a clear message that the police in the province are at a ready position to intercept and confiscate any stolen goods from being smuggled,” read the statement.