A luxurious Porsche Cayenne which was reported stolen in Limpopo has been found stripped and chopped into parts at a workshop at Nirvana, Polokwane, during an intelligence-driven operation conducted on Wednesday.

The breakthrough led to the arrest of three suspects, including the owner of the workshop.

Provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the operation was executed by the Limpopo Tracking Team in partnership with Tracker Connect, Tshimollo Security and Investigation, and the Limpopo Tracking Security following intelligence about suspicious activities at a workshop situated on Nelson Mandela Drive in Nirvana.

“Upon arrival, the team found the high-end Porsche Cayenne already dismantled in the backyard of the workshop. Preliminary investigations confirmed the vehicle had been stolen in May 2025 in the Zebediela policing area,” said Ledwaba.

A further search of the premises led to the recovery of a second vehicle — a white Toyota Tazz — which was reported stolen in October 2024 in the Seshego policing area.

Three male suspects, aged between 35 and 49, were immediately apprehended.

“Among them is a 49-year-old foreign national who owns the workshop. He was found to be in the country illegally, and an additional charge for contravening the Immigration Act will be added,” said Ledwaba.

A case of possession of suspected stolen motor vehicles has been opened at Westenburg SAPS. 

The arrested suspects are expected to appear before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

Provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has welcomed the arrest. Hadebe also saluted the integrated efforts that led to the recovery of the stolen vehicles.

“The dismantling of high-end stolen vehicles like this luxury Porsche indicates a well-organised criminal operation. We are determined to uproot such syndicates and bring perpetrators to justice,” she said.

Last year, IOL reported that the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) tactical response unit arrested a 40-year-old man for possession of a hijacked Volkswagen Polo, in the Etwatwa area.

At the time, EMPD spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Kelebogile Thepa said when police officers pounced, the 40-year-old man was stripping the vehicle.

“The EMPD officers received information about a hijacked motor vehicle that was tracked down to the Emaphupheni section of Etwatwa. The information was followed up and the motor vehicle, which is a silver VW Polo hatchback, was found at a house on Reuben Street with one suspect, who was found in the process of stripping the motor vehicle,” said Thepa.

“The vehicle was thoroughly checked, and it was discovered to be hijacked on Mabaso Street in Daveyton on Saturday night.”

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

IOL News  

Source link