Polokwane – Limpopo police, working with several private security companies, have intercepted a stolen Ford Ranger Wildtrak 4×4 valued at R800 000 before it could be smuggled into Zimbabwe.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said the breakthrough came in the early hours of Friday, 15 August 2025, after intelligence revealed that the bakkie — stolen around 02:00 in the Brooklyn policing area, Pretoria — was heading towards the Beitbridge border post.
The Limpopo Tracking Team, backed by Tracker SA, Mighty Anti-Hijacking Security, Willie K9 Security, ELit Security, Limpopo Anti-Hijacking Security, and Tshimollo Security and Investigation, launched an anti-smuggling operation.
#sapsLIM [CROSS-BORDER CRIMES] Limpopo police recover stolen ford ranger in Botlokwa en route to Zimbabwe. Swift action by the #SAPS Limpopo Tracking Team, working in partnership with multiple security stakeholders, has resulted in the recovery of a stolen Ford Ranger and the… pic.twitter.com/T8AJD2CByE
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) August 15, 2025
The vehicle was spotted travelling along the N1 near Botlokwa and was swiftly pulled over. Two South African men, aged 31 and 44, were arrested on the scene for possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle.
“The quick response by the operational team prevented the vehicle from being smuggled across the border,” Mashaba said, adding that the Ford Ranger had been impounded for further investigation.
The suspects are expected to appear before the Sekgosese Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 18 August 2025.
Limpopo Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe commended the “excellent coordination” between the SAPS and private security partners that led to the arrests.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, X and Instagram
Picture: X/@SAPoliceService
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
