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Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
The smuggling of vehicles between South Africa and Zimbabwe has resulted in security agents increasing vigilance between the Gauteng and Limpopo provinces in South Africa and Zimbabwean side of the borderline.
In a successful joint operation, the Limpopo Provincial Flying Squad and the Waterberg Flying Squad arrested a 38-year-old suspect for possession of a stolen motor vehicle on Sunday, at around 1pm while driving towards Zimbabwe’s border.
Most of stolen vehicles are being smuggled out of South Africa via the Botswana, Mozambique and Zimbabwe’s land borders.
These will have been either stolen or sold by their owners in various insurance fraud schemes. Since the beginning of last year to date, a total of 303 vehicles mostly stolen were intercepted while being smuggled out of South Africa via its land borders.
Limpopo police spokesperson, Colonel Malasela Ledwaba said on Tuesday that in the latest incident, vigilant police officers were conducting routine patrols along the N1 South public road when they received a tip-off regarding a silver Mercedes Benz that had been hijacked in Pretoria West.
“The vehicle was believed to be enroute to Zimbabwe for smuggling purposes. Acting swiftly on the information, they located and intercepted the vehicle at the Sasol Zebediela Filling Station,” said Colonel Ledwaba.
“The 38-year-old driver failed to produce the ownership documents for the motor vehicle, leading to his immediate arrest for the possession of a suspected stolen vehicle.
“The suspect is set to appear before the Mokopane Magistrate’s Court to face a charge of possession of a stolen motor vehicle. Police investigations are continuing.”
Online Reporter