Three vehicles, worth more than R1 million in total were recovered at the Lebombo Port of Entry on Friday, 27 January 2023.
According to the provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, a Ford Ranger valued at about R800 000 was intercepted at the vehicle control check point on the said day at about 14h00.
“A 49-year old Tanzanian national, allegedly staying in Mozambique was stopped while en route to Mozambique from South Africa.
The vehicle looked suspicious and during an investigation by the police, it was found that the vehicle is owned by the bank and was purchased less than a month ago without even a single instalment paid. The driver possessed documents indicating that he was the lawful owner of the vehicle and claimed he bought the vehicle from someone in Gauteng.
The driver was arrested and further investigation on the originality of his documents, which is believed to have been acquired fraudulently, will be conducted. The man was identified as Mohamed Rutenga. He appeared in the Komatipoort Magistrate’s Court on 30 January 2023 where he was granted bail of R1000. The case was postponed to 3 March for trial.
On Saturday, 28 January 2023 at about 13h00, an Isuzu tow truck, believed to have been tampered with, was stopped on its way to Mozambique. The driver somehow evaded the arrest but the vehicle was confiscated for investigation purposes.
No one has been arrested in this instance; however police are in pursuit of the suspect. The total estimated value of the confiscated vehicles over the weekend is set at about R1 800 000.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, commended all members involved in the recoveries and arrest of the suspect.
“The members have done a great job, thereby saving a fortune by the recovery of the vehicles and I am proud that our police and other law enforcers have the interests of the inhabitants of the Republic at heart,” said the General.
