Stolen vehicle destined for Zimbabwe intercepted near Polokwane
The suspect, who was found to be in the country illegally, is said to have successfully smuggled a Toyota Hilux to Zimbabwe earlier this month.
POLOKWANE – A 34-year-old man will appear before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court soon on charges relating to the breach of immigration laws, possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle and driving without a valid license following his arrest on Monday.
The man is said to be linked to a vehcile-smuggling syndicate operating between Gauteng and Beitbridge, Limpopo and was arrested after his vehicle was intercepted on the R101 next to Lunds by members of the Provincial Tracking Team, Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit, Sekhukhune Highway Patrol and private security companies.
Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the teams received information about the suspect driving along the Berghenk Road who was enroute to smuggle a vehicle from Gauteng to Zimbabwe via Beitbridge.
“An operation was activated and the team attempted to stop the vehicle once spotted but the driver sped off. A chase ensued from the Kuschke Agriculture School until he stopped on the R101 next to Lund’s. The suspect was immediately arrested and it was also established that he is in the country illegally,” Ledwaba said.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the vehicle was reported stolen in Garsfontein on Saturday and that the same suspect successfully smuggled a Toyota Hilux Legend 50 to Zimbabwe on October 14.
“Police investigations continue and might link the suspect to similar cases,” Ledwaba said.
The provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has commended the teams involved for moving swiftly to arrest the suspect and has directed them to look into the modus operandi in order to prevent the same incidents from happening again.
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