Members of the SAPS Oshoek Border, just like their counterparts at other Port of Entries in the province continue to be vigilant to ensure that stolen properties or any other illegal items are not smuggled into or out of the country. This time around, the members confiscated a white Toyota Fortuner on Wednesday morning, 05 July 2023 as it was about to pass through the border heading to the Kingdom of Eswatini.
Police report indicates that members from Border Policing in Oshoek were busy conducting stop-and-searches as part of their routine duties when the said Toyota Fortuner with Free State registration number plates arrived at the border post. The vehicle, with one occupant, was inspected by members. It was during this time when the men and women in blue discovered that the chassis number on the vehicle seemed to have been tampered with.
The vehicle was then seized for further investigation by the Police to establish the real story behind this tampering of chassis number. No arrest was made so far however the driver, who is from the Kingdom of Eswatini, was issued with a warning meanwhile the investigation continues.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has commended members for their continuous vigilance in the borders. “The members that are tasked to guard our borders are doing a good job of ensuring that there is no free ride of illegal or suspicious items. Previously, there was a public outcry about stolen vehicles (and other goods) being smuggled via the borders into neighbouring countries more especially vehicles hence the SAPS in conjunction with other stakeholders are working tirelessly so that this issue becomes a thing of the past” said the General.