Nelspruit: Whilst most attention at the Port of Entry is on narcotics, illegal goods, contraband and unauthorized movement of people including human trafficking, police equally attends to other crimes committed and continue to make major breakthroughs in recovering stolen vehicles.

Police at the Lebombo Port of Entry recovered a vehicle which was destined to Mozambique just eleven days after it was stolen in Ivory Park (Gauteng Province).

The vehicle which is estimated at about R100 000 was reportedly stolen on Thursday, 11 August 2022 around 21:00. The white Isuzu pickup was recovered at Lebombo Port of Entry on Monday, 22 August 2022 at about 10:00. A 32-year-old Mozambican national allegedly produced the false vehicle registration certificate. Preliminary investigation indicated that the vehicle identification number was also tempered with. Police Vehicle Identification Unit (VIU) conducted further investigation which identified the vehicle positively as being stolen from Ivory Park. The suspect was arrested and the vehicle he drove was loaded with furniture and was confiscated as well.

The suspect is expected to appear at the Nkomazi Magistrates’ Court soon, facing the charge of possession of suspected stolen motor vehicle. Police can’t rule out the possibility of other charges to be added as investigation continues. The suspect may also be linked to other crimes committed elsewhere.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has commended the dedication displayed by the members from Border Policing Port of Entry which led to the recovery of the vehicle and the arrest of the suspect. “We are so grateful for the calibre of members that we have at our borders. The public can be rest assured that these men and women in Blue work tirelessly to ensure that in case their properties somehow get stolen, then the properties can be recovered at the borders” said the General.

Source: South African Police Service