Stolen car caught on N1: Zimbabwean and Malawian Men in custody

suspects

Polokwane – The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Limpopo has arrested two men in connection with a stolen vehicle intercepted on Sunday, 30 November 2025.

Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, commended the rapid response of multi-disciplinary teams involved in the operation.

“I want to praise our operational teams for their swift and decisive action which led to the interception of the reported stolen vehicle and the arrest of the suspects,” she said.

The operation involved the SAPS Limpopo Tracking Team, alongside external law enforcement partners including Shadowsecure Security, Tshimollo Security and Investigation, and Tracker SA.

The team was conducting an anti-smuggling operation when intelligence was received regarding a stolen vehicle traveling from Gauteng Province toward Beitbridge via the N1 freeway.

“The operational team maintained continuous observation and successfully located the vehicle fitting the description on N1 North, Polokwane, next to the Mall of the North,” said Lt Gen Hadebe.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the vehicle, a Toyota Corolla Cross GR valued at R600,000, had been reported stolen in Pretoria Central. The two occupants, adult males aged 38 and 43, were foreign nationals from Zimbabwe and Malawi, respectively.

A case of possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle has been opened in Polokwane. The suspects are expected to appear in Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 2 December 2025.

Lieutenant Gen Hadebe emphasised the importance of partnership policing in addressing cross-border and organized crime. “This operation highlights the value of collaboration between SAPS and external security partners in ensuring public safety and curbing criminal activities,” she said.

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