Mpumalanga police have successfully recovered a Toyota Corolla sedan that was reported stolen 14 years ago in the Eastern Cape.
The recovery came about when officers were conducting a routine vehicle verification on a white Toyota Corolla. During the inspection, they noticed a discrepancy between the vehicle identification number (VIN) on the licence disc and the VIN on the body of the car.
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Prompted by this irregularity, the police launched a further investigation into the vehicle’s history. It was soon discovered that the car had been reported stolen in Komani (Queenstown) in December 2010. Following this revelation, a joint task team arrested the driver, a 31-year-old male, at the Nerston Port of Entry, which is located on the border between South Africa and Eswatini.
The suspect is set to appear in the Amsterdam magistrate’s court on Monday to face charges of possession of a suspected stolen vehicle. Additionally, there is a possibility that further charges related to the theft of a motor vehicle will be added at a later stage.
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Provincial police commissioner, Lt Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, commended the officers involved in the case for their exceptional recovery. Recovering a stolen vehicle after more than a decade is a testament to their dedication and perseverance.
This successful recovery serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough vehicle verifications and the tireless efforts of law enforcement agencies in combating vehicle theft.
