High-speed chase: Toyota Fortuner stolen in Tshwane intercepted in Mpumalanga
Police in Mpumalanga have arrested a 30-year-old man after a stolen Toyota Fortuner was intercepted during an intelligence-driven operation near Belfast.
According to police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, the arrest was made on Friday, 10 January, when a multidisciplinary team comprising the Middelburg Flying Squad, the Machadodorp Community Policing Forum and a tracking company followed up information about a stolen vehicle.
The Toyota Fortuner, fitted with Gauteng registration plates, had been reported stolen in Wierdabrug, Centurion.
With assistance from the tracking company, the vehicle was spotted travelling along the R540 road. Police gave chase and followed it to Madala location in Belfast, where it was positively identified as stolen.
The driver, Murendeni Nekhubvi, 30, was arrested for possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle.
Nekhubvi appeared before the Belfast Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 12 January, where he was granted bail of R5,000. He is expected to return to court on 2 February.
The acting provincial commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, praised police members, tracking companies and community policing forums for their coordinated efforts.
He warned that Mpumalanga would not be allowed to serve as a transit route for stolen vehicles, adding that law enforcement agencies remain vigilant in tackling vehicle-related crime.
In June last year, IOL reported that the Mokopane Regional Court in Limpopo imposed six years of direct imprisonment against a 37-year-old Zimbabwean man, Joseph Kungwengwe, after he was found in possession of a stolen vehicle, a Toyota Corolla Cross.
The police intercepted and recovered the compact sport utility vehicle in Mokopane on 29 December in 2024.
Kungwengwe was subsequently arrested after the stolen vehicle was intercepted.
Limpopo provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, said the Toyota Corolla Cross was reported stolen at Brakpan, in Gauteng province.
“Limpopo provincial anti-smuggling team received intelligence information about a suspected stolen motor vehicle from Gauteng province driving along N1, en route to Beitbridge port of entry,” said Ledwaba.
He added that the stolen vehicle was to be smuggled from the South African side of the border into neighbouring Zimbabwe.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
IOL News