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Cross-border vehicle theft syndicate: all nine suspects granted bail

Nine suspects, including five police officers and a Home Affairs official, were nabbed for alleged corruption, fraud and smuggling of suspected stolen vehicles between 22 and 23 January

LIMPOPO – All nine suspects arrested on charges of alleged corruption, fraud and smuggling of suspected stolen vehicles appeared before the relevant courts in Limpopo and Gauteng and were given bail

According to Hawks Spokesperson, Capt Matimba Maluleke, all were granted bail of R500 each. Once accused,  a 32-year-old ex police constable who was stationed at the Tom Burke POlice Station was granted R5 000 bail.

All suspects are expected to re appear before the relevant courts on 28 February 2018, concluded Maluleke.


January 25 2018

LIMPOPO – All nine suspects have appeared before the relevant courts in Limpopo and Gauteng on Wednesday, Hawks Spokesperson, Capt Matimba Mauleke reported.

The suspects were arrested earlier this week on charges of alleged corruption, fraud and smuggling of suspected stolen vehicles, during a crime intelligence driven operation conduced by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Unit

The court outcomes are as follows:

  • Five suspects (aged between 32 and 51), all officials at the Tom Burke Police Station, appeared before the Phalala Magistrate Court and were remanded in custody until 30 January for formal bail application.
  • The sixth suspects, a 38-year-old Zimbabawean national, appeared before the Mokopane Magistrates Court and was remanded in custody until 1 February for formal bail application.
  • The seventh suspect, a 47-year-old official  attached to Beitbridge border post appeared before Makhado Magistrates Court and he was remanded in custody until 1 February 2018 for formal bail application.
  • The eight suspect, an ex-DHA official, appeared before Pretoria Central Magistrate Court and was remanded in custody until 1 February for formal bail application.
  • The ninth suspect, a civilian, appeared today before Mokopane Magistrates Court and was remanded in custody until 1 February for formal bail application.

LIMPOPO – Nine suspects, including five police officers and a Home Affairs official, were nabbed for alleged corruption, fraud and smuggling of suspected stolen vehicles, confirmed the Hawks on Wednesday.

The arrests of the five officers, who are currently stationed at Tom Burke SAPS and the border post respectively,  the home affairs official and three runners, were made during a crime intelligence driven operation conduced by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Unit between 22 and 23 January 2018.

You may also want to read: Smuggling operation intercepted by Limpopo SAPS Commissioner

Hawks Spokesperson, Capt Matimba Mauleke says the arrests are a culmination of a Hawks’ investigative project dubbed the “Mirror”, which is aimed at addressing corrupt officials and illegal activities. These illegal activities includes the smuggling of suspected stolen vehicles at the border post of Beit-bridge near Musina, he explains.

You may also want to read: Limpopo SAPS operation “Vala Madi” stops vehicle smugglers in their tracks

“All accused have been under investigation since 2016 following complaints received by the public where it was alleged that the suspects worked in accord to arrange fraudulent documents to ensure safe passage for stolen vehicles through the border, in exchange of bribes.”

All suspects are expected to appear in different courts across the province today, he concluded.

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