Limpopo police seize R3m worth of stolen goods, foreign nationals arrested

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Limpopo police have arrested four foreign nationals and recovered goods valued at over R3 million in the fight against organised crime with the successful dismantling of one of the most sophisticated cross-border smuggling networks operating between South Africa and Malawi.

On Thursday, 5 June, at approximately 02:00, the Limpopo Anti-Smuggling Task Team, supported by private security companies, intercepted a Scania truck pulling superlink trailers near the Polokwane weighbridge. The vehicle was en-route from Cape Town to Malawi via the Beitbridge border post.

Following an extensive 18-hour operation and thorough search, the joint team recovered various parts from vehicles and motorcycles that were reported stolen in Cape Town.

GOODS WORTH OVER R3 MILLION RECOVERED IN LIMPOPO

South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson in Limpopo colonel Malesela Ledwaba said they were able to recover chopped parts of a Ford Ranger reported stolen in Nyanga in May, including an engine, dashboard, radiator, differential and steering wheel, sixty(60) disassembled motorcycles concealed in drums and containers, reported stolen from multiple Western Cape police stations including Bellville, Mfuleni, Muizenberg, Nyanga, Milnerton, Sea Point, and Athlone.

Ledwaba said various electronic goods including plasma TVs, sound systems, solar tower batteries, and cellphones suspected to be stolen, were recovered.

Additionally, the Scania truck and trailers used in the smuggling operation were also seized as part of the investigation. The total value of recovered goods is over R3 million.

SUSPECTS TO APPEAR IN COURT SOON

The four foreign national males aged between 37 and 50 years, were arrested and will appear before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 9 June, on charges of possession of suspected stolen goods.

Limpopo police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe commended the successful operation saying the breakthrough represents a major victory against sophisticated criminal networks that have been exploiting our borders to traffic stolen goods.

“The collaboration between our Anti-Smuggling Task Team and private security partners demonstrates the power of coordinated law enforcement efforts. We will continue to target these criminal syndicates relentlessly until they are completely dismantled,” Hadebe said.