A 45-year-old male suspect was arrested on Friday, 19 June 2026, after police recovered a stolen Toyota Hilux Legend Edition double cab bakkie valued at R700 000 on the N1 South public road outside Polokwane.
Following intelligence information received, the Provincial Tracking Team and Provincial Investigation Unit, with support from CAP Specialized, Tracker Connect, the Insurance Crime Bureau, Tshimollo Security and Investigation, and Shadow Secure Security, mounted an anti-smuggling operation.
Information indicated that the bakkie was being driven from Gauteng Province to Limpopo Province and was intended to be smuggled through the Beitbridge Port of Entry (POE).
Police maintained observation on the N1 South and positively spotted the vehicle travelling at high speed near the Shell Ultra City filling station, where it was immediately stopped.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the double cab had been reported stolen at Loate Police Station in the Tshwane area. A 45-year-old driver was arrested on the spot and charged with possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle.
The Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, commended the operational teams for executing the arrest and recovery of the bakkie.
“This recovery demonstrates what we can achieve through intelligence-driven operations and strong partnerships between police and private security role players. We will continue to target cross-border vehicle smuggling syndicates and ensure stolen vehicles are recovered and criminals are apprehended to face the full might of the law,” she concluded.
The suspect is expected to appear before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 22 June 2026, facing a charge of possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle.
Police investigations are continuing.
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