Police arrested 34-year-old Solomon Chiloane in Mokopane on Monday. He was driving a white Toyota Hilux stolen in Gauteng. The arrest came after a tip-off and a cross-province operation.
Bakkie Spotted on Route to Limpopo
The Hilux, valued at over R700,000, was reported missing on Saturday from the Lyttleton policing area in Tshwane. Just two days later, police received word it was moving along the R101 road, headed toward Limpopo.
Police, working with private security companies, launched a quick joint operation. The vehicle was seen entering Mokopane and was intercepted soon after.
Driver Could Not Prove Vehicle Ownership
Chiloane, who was driving the bakkie, failed to explain how he got the vehicle. According to Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, the man gave no valid proof of ownership.
He was quickly arrested for having a suspected stolen vehicle. Police believe the bakkie was going to be smuggled to Zimbabwe.
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Suspect Remains in Custody
The case was taken to Mokopane Court and delayed to 29 July 2025. Chiloane will remain in jail while police keep investigating.
Chiloane is a South African citizen. Police have welcomed his arrest.
Police Celebrate Success of Joint Anti-Smuggling Action
Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe praised the team effort in the operation.
She said this case proves how collaboration between police and private security can fight back against vehicle smuggling groups. These cross-border networks continue to pose a threat to South Africa’s security.
Zimbabwean Man Also Caught with Luxury SUV
Just a day before Chiloane’s court appearance, another major vehicle smuggling arrest made headlines. Stephen Nyoni, 48, from Zimbabwe, was jailed near Polokwane. Police caught him with a stolen luxury SUV.
The car, worth more than R2.5 million, was stopped during a targeted anti-smuggling operation along the N1 highway. The operation was led by Limpopo SAPS and private security units.
Both arrests are part of a bigger plan to stop car smuggling between South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Growing Threat of Cross-Border Vehicle Crime
The arrests of both Chiloane and Nyoni show how organised crime groups target high-value vehicles. These cars are often stolen in Gauteng and moved across provinces before being taken out of the country.
Police say more operations are planned as part of an effort to break these syndicates and stop stolen cars from leaving South African borders.
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Hi, I’m Amandeep Singh, a content writer at Ramnath Intercollage. I share updates on jobs, internships, and scholarships across South Africa using official and trusted sources. My aim is to make every post easy to read and helpful for anyone looking to apply.
