POLICE RECOVERS STOLEN R700.000 TOYOTA HILUX LEGEND BAKKIE AND NABBED THE SUSPECT ON N1 SOUTH

POLOKWANE: 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.

The police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba says following intelligence information received, the Provincial Tracking Team and Provincial Investigation Unit, with support from CAP Specialized, Tracker Connect, Insurance Crime Bureau, Tshimollo Security and Investigation and Shadow Secure Security, mounted an anti-smuggling operation.

Information indicated the bakkie was being driven from Gauteng province to Limpopo province, intended for smuggling through the Beitbridge Port of Entry (POE).

Police maintained observation on the N1 South and it was positively spotted traveling at high speed near Shell Ultra City filling station and was immediately stopped.

Preliminary investigations revealed 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 in 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 are apprehended to face the full might of the law” she concluded.

The suspect is expected to appear before the Polokwane Magistrate court on Monday, 22 June 2026 facing a charge of possession of suspected stolen motor vehicle.

Police investigations are continuing.

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