Limpopo – Police in Limpopo have arrested a 22-year-old man who was allegedly attempting to smuggle a stolen luxury vehicle into Zimbabwe.
Police spokespersons confirmed that a white Toyota Prado VX, valued at R1.2 million, was intercepted during a joint anti-smuggling operation in the Solomondale area of the Sebayeng policing precinct on Wednesday, 27 August 2025.
The operation involved the Limpopo Tracking Team, Limpopo Provincial Investigative Unit (PIU), and private security companies Tshimollo Security and Investigation as well as Shadow Secure.
According to police, intelligence was received that the Prado, reported stolen in Lyttelton, Pretoria, earlier that morning, was being driven along the R71 towards Mankweng.
“When the team attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver sped off towards Solomondale. A chase ensued, and the vehicle crashed near the Solomondale railway line, colliding with another car driven by a local school principal,” the police said in a statement.
The suspect allegedly abandoned the vehicle and attempted to flee into nearby bushes along the R81, but was swiftly apprehended.
He is expected to appear in the Mankweng Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 29 August 2025, facing charges of motor vehicle theft and reckless and negligent driving.
Police said investigations are continuing, with the possibility of linking the suspect to a broader vehicle smuggling syndicate operating between Gauteng and neighbouring countries.
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Picture: Facebook/South African Police Service
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
