Members of the Zimbabwe Provincial Anti-Smuggling Team stationed in Limpopo have intercepted a suspected stolen white Toyota Corolla Cross SUV, believed to have been en route to Zimbabwe through an illegal crossing point along the Limpopo River.
According to South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, officers acted swiftly on intelligence indicating the vehicle was heading toward Malales Drift, near the riverbank. Acting on this tip-off, law enforcement mobilised and launched an operation to intercept the car before it crossed into Zimbabwe.
“At about 6:00 AM, the vehicle matching the description was spotted in the bushy area near the Limpopo River, attempting to make an illegal crossing into Zimbabwe,” said Colonel Ledwaba. “When police tried to intervene, the vehicle sped off, but the driver lost control and the SUV became stuck in sand near the river.”
As officers approached, two male suspects jumped out of the immobilised vehicle and fled on foot across the border into Zimbabwe, managing to evade arrest.
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Cross-Border Smuggling Threatens Security as Stolen Vehicles Head Toward Zimbabwe
In a surprising twist, initial investigations have revealed that the Toyota Corolla Cross belongs to a private company based in South Africa. However, the vehicle had not yet been reported as stolen at the time of interception. Authorities believe the delay in reporting could be part of a broader tactic used by criminal syndicates to move vehicles undetected.
The SAPS impounded the vehicle at the scene, pending further investigation into its ownership and the circumstances surrounding its attempted smuggling. The authorities suspect that the incident may be linked to a wider network of cross-border vehicle smuggling operations operating between South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Provincial Police Commissioner in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, commended the officers for their vigilance and prompt action. “This is another victory in our ongoing battle against the smuggling of stolen vehicles through Limpopo,” she said. “Such coordinated efforts are vital in dismantling these criminal syndicates and protecting the integrity of our borders.”
The interception comes amid increasing incidents of vehicles being stolen or unlawfully transported across borders into neighbouring countries such as Zimbabwe. The rugged and often poorly patrolled border zones along the Limpopo River have become favoured smuggling routes for criminals seeking to avoid formal border controls.
Last year, the SAPS achieved a significant legal victory when the Mokopane Regional Court sentenced 46-year-old Vusi Vincent Moloka to seven years of direct imprisonment for possession of a stolen vehicle. That case also involved a vehicle believed to be destined for Zimbabwe via Limpopo.
In that instance, Colonel Ledwaba explained that on March 20, 2024, at around 6:00 PM, the SAPS received intelligence about a stolen Toyota Fortuner with Gauteng registration plates. The vehicle was travelling from Sandton toward Limpopo via the N1 North highway.
Following a lookout alert and with support from private security companies Spoorvat and Reflex, the vehicle was spotted on the N1 freeway. The driver attempted to flee but was eventually apprehended in Modimolle. Police found the vehicle’s keys in his possession at the time of arrest.
The Modimolle Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit (VCIU) took over the investigation. Detective Sergeant Mpedi Ngoepe was assigned the case and successfully built a solid case, opposing bail and ensuring the suspect was prosecuted.
The recent incident highlights the critical need for continued cooperation between South African law enforcement and Zimbabwean border authorities. Vehicle theft and smuggling remain persistent challenges, often involving organised syndicates with cross-border operations.
The presence of Zimbabwe Members of the Provincial Anti-Smuggling Team in Limpopo has been instrumental in intercepting several vehicles before they can be illegally transported across the border. Their collaborative role in joint intelligence operations and physical border patrols plays a vital role in disrupting criminal activity in the region.
As investigations continue into the intercepted Toyota Corolla Cross, authorities remain committed to strengthening anti-smuggling strategies and bolstering cross-border security efforts. The SAPS has urged members of the public and businesses to report vehicle thefts promptly and remain vigilant about unusual vehicle movement near border zones.
The fight against cross-border vehicle smuggling is far from over, but with continued vigilance, community cooperation, and joint operational efforts between South African and Zimbabwean authorities, more successes like this interception can be expected in the future.