South Africa: Police thwart smuggling attempt of 20 stolen vehicles from KwaZulu-Natal to Mozambique

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

South Africa: Police thwart smuggling attempt of 20 stolen vehicles from KwaZulu-Natal to Mozambique

7:00 CAT | 16 Jun 2025

The recovered vehicles include 11 bakkies, seven sport utility vehicles, a minibus and a sedan. [Image: SAPS]

The task team deployed in Emanguzi has continued to deal “decisively” with syndicates involved in cross-border crimes north of KwaZulu-Natal province.

In the past few weeks, police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk, said police arrested five vehicle smugglers and recovered 20 vehicles of different makes.

The recovered vehicles include 11 bakkies, seven sport utility vehicles, a minibus, and a sedan. The vehicles were intercepted during separate intelligence-driven operations.

“Investigation reveals that the recovered vehicles were stolen in and around Durban Central, Durban North, Westville, Chatsworth, Pinetown, and Umhlali,” said Van Wyk.

In the latest takedown, the police team followed up on information they had obtained about a vehicle destined to cross the Kosi Bay border into Mozambique.

Smugv.saps_ — The recovered vehicles include 11 bakkies, seven sport utility vehicles, a minibus and a sedan. [Image: SAPS]

“The vehicle was successfully intercepted on Monday, 9 June 2025, leading to the arrest of one suspect who was found in possession of various fraudulent documents to cross the border,” said Van Wyk.

“Preliminary investigation reveals that the suspect may be linked to vehicle insurance fraud; investigations remain ongoing.”

She said a national intervention was established involving SAPS members from various disciplines that include crime intelligence, proactive and reactive policing units, and detectives assigned to prevent and combat cross-border crimes along the northern border of KwaZulu-Natal.

Smugc.iol_ — *The recovered vehicles include 11 bakkies, seven sport utility vehicles, a minibus and a sedan. [Image: SAPS]*

“These identified cross-border crimes include, among others, theft of motor vehicles, house robberies, business robberies, hijacking of vehicles, murder, and attempted murder,” said Van Wyk.

Last year, IOL reported that the anti-smuggling task team in Limpopo was praised for their “exceptional dedication and performance” in combating illicit activities and intercepting numerous stolen vehicles heading towards the Beitbridge port of entry.

The dedicated task team has scored several victories since its inception in December 2023.

“The team, comprising specialised detectives, has been instrumental in disrupting smuggling operations and seizing vehicles worth millions of rands,” said provincial police spokesperson in Limpopo, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba.

He said through strategic interventions and collaborative efforts with different stakeholders, such as private security companies, the police task team has demonstrated unparalleled dedication and commitment in rooting out the smuggling of stolen vehicles out of South Africa.

“A total of 23 suspects were arrested and 20 high-powered 4×4 vehicles worth approximately R17 million were seized. The vehicles were all robbed in Gauteng province and were intercepted at various parts of the province en-route to be smuggled through the Beitbridge (port of entry) and other ports of entry,” said Mashaba.

Source: IOL News