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Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
SOUTH African police have arrested two men along the Limpopo River in connection with cases of cross border car thefts.

The suspects who were arrested on the banks of the Limpopo River on Saturday afternoon, are believed to be part of a 13-men syndicate that has been stealing vehicles from the neighbouring country and smuggling them into Zimbabwe and other countries north of the Zambezi River.

Limpopo police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Robert Netshiunda identified the men as Tsununu Maphosa (31) and Mpho Dzuguda (23).
Their nationality is still being verified.

“The police in Phalaborwa and a dedicated provincial team is still pursuing 11 more suspects who stole six brand new cars at Phalaborwa Ford along the Palm Avenue. The suspects broke into the garage and gained access into the office with vehicles ignition keys and drove off with six vehicles,” he said.

Lt Col Netshiunda said the vehicles are: a Ford Ranger WildTrak 3.2D/C 4×4 (white), Ford Ranger WildTrak 4×2 D/C (silver), two white Ford Everests 4×2 XLT and two Gold Ford Rangers single cabs.

He said the theft was reported to police who recovered two vehicles in Tshiledzani Village in Masisi area of South Africa where the two suspects were arrested.

“Three other cars were recovered at the Limpopo River which borders South Africa and Zimbabwe,” Lt Col Netshiunda said.

He said Maphosa and Dzuguda will soon appear at the Masisi Periodical Court facing vehicle theft charges. It is understood that the stolen cars are taken to either Tanzania or Malawi while others are sold in Zimbabwe.

Recently, South African authorities launched operation “Vala Madi” (close the tap) along the border with Zimbabwe following an upsurge in cross border car thefts.