Three Mozambican nationals have been arrested in Mpumalanga, South Africa, for the possession of two stolen vehicles.
The suspects, aged 39 and 41, were apprehended a few kilometres away from the Lebombo port of entry. The Mpumalanga police successfully recovered two Toyota RAV4s, which were reported stolen in Garsfontein and Edenvale, respectively.
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According to Colonel Donald Mdhluli, the Mpumalanga police spokesperson, the vehicles were stolen earlier this month.
The breakthrough in the case came as a result of police reacting to information received about the stolen Toyota RAV4s. The police quickly operationalized the details, leading to the recovery of the first vehicle, which was reportedly stolen in Edenvale.
The interception of the stolen vehicle from Edenvale occurred while it was en route to Komatipoort on Monday evening.
Both the driver and a passenger were arrested at the scene. The second stolen vehicle, which was reported stolen in Garsfontein, was recovered after it passed through Komatipoort. The driver of the second vehicle was also arrested at approximately 9 pm.
The three suspects have been charged with possession of suspected stolen vehicles and will appear before the Komatipoort Magistrate’s Court. Colonel Mdhluli stated that additional charges may be added relating to the reported thefts of the two vehicles.
Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, the provincial commissioner of police in Mpumalanga, has welcomed the arrest of the three suspects and the successful recovery of the stolen vehicles. She also commended the whistleblowers for their role in the fight against crime and applauded the police for their swift reaction.
The arrest of these individuals and the recovery of the stolen vehicles highlight the importance of collaborative efforts between law enforcement agencies and the public. It serves as a reminder that reporting suspicious activities and providing information to the police can lead to significant breakthroughs in criminal investigations.
Vehicle theft is a serious crime that not only causes financial loss to individuals but also contributes to a sense of insecurity in communities. The recovery of these stolen vehicles demonstrates the commitment of the Mpumalanga police to combatting vehicle theft and bringing offenders to justice.
The Mpumalanga police have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities or information that may assist in preventing and solving crimes. They have emphasised that the fight against crime requires the active involvement and cooperation of all members of society.
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Earlier this week, SurgeZirc SA reported that police in Limpopo arrested a 29-year-old man for possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle, a bakkie which was also reported stolen in Garsfontein, east of Pretoria.
The white Toyota Hilux GD6 double cab was en route to the Beitbridge border post, where police believe the South African man wanted to smuggled the vehicle into neighbouring Zimbabwe.
