Police in Limpopo Province have arrested a 22-year-old man suspected of attempting to smuggle a stolen Toyota Prado VX, valued at R1.2 million, into Zimbabwe.
According to Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, spokesperson for the Limpopo provincial police, the vehicle was intercepted on 27 August 2025 during a joint operation involving multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Limpopo tracking team, provincial investigative unit, Tshimollo Security, and Shadow Secure Security.
The police had received intelligence indicating that the luxury SUV, stolen in Gauteng, was being transported through Limpopo with the intention of crossing into Zimbabwe.
“The vehicle was spotted heading along the R71 route toward Mankweng, and the operational team moved in,” said Colonel Ledwaba.
When officers attempted to stop the Prado, the driver fled at high speed, leading to a dramatic chase. The pursuit came to an end when the suspect lost control of the vehicle, which veered off the road near Solomondale railway line and collided with a local school principal’s vehicle.
The stolen SUV was later found abandoned in the bushes along the R81 road. Investigations confirmed it had been reported stolen in Lyttelton, Pretoria, earlier the same day.
The suspect was taken into custody and is expected to appear before the Mankweng Magistrate’s Court on 29 August 2025. He faces charges of vehicle theft and reckless and negligent driving.
The school principal involved in the collision was transported to hospital for treatment. His condition was not immediately disclosed.
Police say investigations are ongoing and have not ruled out the possibility of a broader vehicle smuggling syndicate operating in the region.
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