Police have arrested six men and seized six luxury SUVs worth about R4.75 million in Colesberg, Northern Cape, after discovering documents suspected to be fraudulent in the vehicles.
The arrests followed an intelligence-driven operation on Friday, involving Crime Intelligence in the Western Cape and police members in Colesberg and Hanover.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), Crime Intelligence alerted Colesberg police at about 2.40pm to information about six white Jetour T2 hybrid vehicles travelling from Beaufort West towards Colesberg.
Highway Patrol, Colesberg Visible Policing and Hanover police members responded and positioned themselves along the identified route.The vehicles were spotted about 35km from Colesberg, each carrying one male occupant who identified himself as the driver.
The men allegedly told police they were transporting the vehicles to an undisclosed destination in Pretoria.
Further investigations uncovered documents suspected to be fraudulent inside the vehicles. Police then worked with Western Cape Crime Intelligence to verify the information. The investigation allegedly established that the vehicles had been fraudulently purchased, leading to their seizure.
Police said six vehicles of the same make had already been impounded in Beaufort West as part of the investigation, bringing the total number of vehicles seized across the two provinces to 12. The six vehicles seized in Colesberg are valued at approximately R4.752 million. Six cases relating to the possession of suspected stolen vehicles have been registered at Colesberg police station.
The six arrested men, all South African citizens aged between 28 and 62, remain in police custody while investigations continue.
Police also seized 10 cellular phones and documents suspected to be fraudulent during the operation. Acting Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner Major-General Luntu Ngubelanga commended the officers involved for their swift response and professionalism.
He said the operation demonstrated the importance of intelligence-led policing and co-operation between provinces.
“Crime does not respect provincial boundaries, and neither can our response to it. The swift sharing and operationalisation of intelligence enabled our members to intercept these vehicles and apprehend the suspects,” Ngubelanga said.
He added that police would continue strengthening partnerships with Crime Intelligence and law enforcement agencies across the country. The six men are expected to appear in the Colesberg Magistrates’ Court soon.