Mahwelereng: A significant joint operation involving the SAPS Provincial Vehicle Crime Investigation Units (VCIU), Waterberg District VCIU Modimolle, and Mahwelereng, supported by insurance companies, led to the recovery of four suspected stolen vehicles. The operation, conducted on Wednesday, 12 March 2025, resulted in the vehicles being seized for further investigation.
According to South African Police Service, the coordinated effort targeted various locations, including panel beaters, taxi ranks, car dealers, roadblocks, and vehicle checkpoints within hotspot areas of the Mahwelereng policing precinct. The primary aim was to trace and recover suspicious vehicles.
The operation uncovered a stolen silver Volkswagen Polo TSI with Gauteng registration plates at a towing service in Ga-Madiba. Additionally, a cloned vehicle was found at a local scrap yard, originating from the Gauteng province. On Zebediela road, a Toyota Hilux bakkie was stopped, and upon inspection, discrepancies between the vehicle identification and license disc were noted, prompting its removal from the road.
Another Volkswagen Polo, bearing Mpumalanga number plates, was traced to a scrap yard. Investigations revealed that this vehicle was still operational in Johannesburg, Gauteng Province. In Polokwane, authorities seized a Volkswagen Polo with Limpopo registration, reported stolen in Jane Furse in May 2024, from a well-known car dealership.
Police investigations into the circumstances surrounding these seizures are ongoing, with arrests expected. Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe commended the operation, stating, “I would like to applaud this joint operation which stamped the authority of the State. If you continue to do unlawful acts, the long arm of the law will reach you.”