SA: Zimbabwean arrested in Polokwane for stolen vehicle and immigration law violations

By Agencies

SA: The Limpopo South Africa Police Service (SAPS) Provincial Anti-Smuggling Task Team has apprehended a 33-year-old Zimbabwean national for multiple offences, including the possession of a presumed stolen motor vehicle and contravention of immigration laws.

The arrest occurred in the Polokwane policing area, following a tip-off received by the police regarding the movement of a stolen vehicle intended for cross-border smuggling.

The suspect, who was found driving a white Toyota Fortuner on the N1 road near Peter Mokaba Stadium, was intercepted by law enforcement officials after initial investigations revealed that the vehicle had been reported stolen from the Alberton policing area in Gauteng on 18 September 2024.

The arrest forms part of ongoing efforts by Limpopo police to clamp down on smuggling activities in the province, particularly those involving stolen vehicles intended for cross-border movement.

Details of the Operation

The anti-smuggling operation was a coordinated effort led by the Limpopo SAPS Provincial Anti-Smuggling Task Team, in collaboration with intelligence units.

The team received credible information regarding a vehicle reported stolen just days earlier, which led them to the suspect. He was driving the vehicle along the N1 highway, seemingly en route to a location outside the country’s borders.

Upon stopping the vehicle, officers found that the driver, a 33-year-old Zimbabwean man, did not possess the necessary legal documentation to be in South Africa, thus violating the Immigration Act.

Further checks confirmed that the Toyota Fortuner had indeed been reported stolen in Gauteng, a fact that was central to the police’s swift action.

Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo Police, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, commended the task team for their efficient handling of the case and their quick response in preventing the stolen vehicle from leaving the country.

“This arrest is a victory in our continued fight against smuggling and other criminal activities that threaten the security of our communities,” she stated.

Legal Proceedings and Investigation

The 33-year-old suspect is set to appear before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 23 September 2024.

He faces charges of possession of a presumed stolen motor vehicle, contravention of the Immigration Act, and operating a vehicle without a valid driver’s license.

The SAPS has confirmed that investigations into the matter are ongoing, with authorities examining whether the suspect is linked to a broader vehicle smuggling syndicate.

Vehicle smuggling remains a significant concern in Limpopo, with law enforcement frequently conducting operations to combat the illegal trade.

Smugglers often attempt to transport stolen vehicles across the border to neighbouring countries where they can be sold in illegal markets.

The close proximity of Limpopo to South Africa’s borders makes it a strategic target for such illicit activities.