Cape Town – Police in Limpopo have arrested a 43-year-old foreign national after stripped motorbikes believed to be stolen were discovered hidden inside a vehicle during a coordinated law-enforcement operation in the Mopani District.
According to police, members from various specialised units, including the Mopani District Tracking Team, Giyani K9 Unit, Public Order Policing and the Motor Vehicle Theft Unit, were conducting an intelligence-driven operation following information received from a vehicle-tracking company.
The operation was carried out along the R81 road near the Mopani District offices.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said officers stopped and searched the vehicle, where they discovered three stripped motorbikes concealed in the loading area.
#sapsLIM Stolen motor bikes and ammo recovered during a coordinated op involving #SAPS Mopani District Tracking Team, Giyani #K9Unit, POP Unit members, Motor Vehicle Theft Unit, and private security partners. 43yr-old Male arrested during a stop and search along the R81 near the… pic.twitter.com/gcdBEZtLCx
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) January 7, 2026
A live 9mm round of ammunition was also found during the search.
The suspect was immediately arrested at the scene.
As reported by police, the man is expected to appear before the Giyani Magistrate’s Court on charges of possession of suspected stolen property and unlawful possession of ammunition.
Investigations are continuing to determine where the motorbikes were stolen from and whether other suspects may be involved.
In a related development during the same operation, police recovered an unlicensed firearm loaded with ammunition in Burgersdorp village after suspects fled on foot upon noticing law-enforcement officers.
No arrests were made in that incident, and police have launched a manhunt for the suspects.
Police management have welcomed the success of the operation, highlighting the importance of collaboration between different policing units and private security partners in the fight against vehicle-related crimes in the province.
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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
