A white Toyota Fortuner which was reported stolen in Durban North this month (July 2023) was recovered, reportedly fitted with false registration number plates in Oshoek Port of Entry yesterday morning, 13 July 2023 at about 06:00.
According to information, the vehicle which had two occupants, was reportedly identified as being stolen on the Port of Entry’s departure section en-route to the Kingdom of Eswatini.
The two occupants, a 55-year-old South African national and a 42-year-old Malawian national were arrested on allegations of being in possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle.
The two are expected to appear at Elukwatini Magistrate’s Court today, 14 July 2023 facing the said charges. Police cannot rule out possibilities of adding another charge of theft of motor vehicle pending further investigation.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has welcomed the recovery of the vehicle as well as the arrest of the two suspects. “We are truly making a serious impact in fighting theft and smuggling of vehicle in the province, more especially with the recent recoveries of cars that police have made at the borders of the two neighbouring countries (Mozambique and the Kingdom of Eswatini). We would like to send a stern warning against criminals, that they will not have an easy passage at the borders, to smuggle stolen items,” warned the General.