Police recover stolen vehicle hidden in a broom truck at Lebombo border post

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The South African Police Service (SAPS) has launched a manhunt for a suspect following the recovery of a stolen bakkie at the Lebombo Port of Entry. The stolen bakkie was hidden under a load of thatch brooms being transported by a light truck.

The incident occurred on Saturday 05 December 2020. Police at the border were busy with their duties when they noticed a suspicious white one tonner truck with Mozambican registration fully loaded with traditional thatch brooms. The members became concerned and were convinced that there might be something sinister about the truck. The driver was not available and members got information that he had gone to SARS offices to complete certain documents required when crossing the border with goods, the SAPS said.

Members then went to look for him at the SARS offices but they could not find him and they began searching the truck. Whilst removing the traditional brooms, the police discovered a white Ford Ranger with false number plates. Upon further probing, police found that the vehicle was reported stolen at a garage in Sandton on 30 November 2020. It is believed that the driver was intending to cross the border to Mozambique with the stolen vehicle.

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF), meanwhile, have recorded their own border security successes. The SANDF on the weekend said that in a joint operation between the SA National Defence Force, SA Police Service and Traffic Officials, the following successes were recorded on the N1 near Beitbridge and Samaria: R19 681 in fines issues; 41 master boxes and 20 cartons of Remington Gold, valued at R552 567 confiscated; illegal goods valued at R35 000 seized; two vehicles recovered; 293 undocumented persons apprehended; and 23 master boxes and 20 cartons of Remington Gold valued at R311 547 seized.