Ethiopian man arrested in Limpopo with R400,000 Toyota Corolla Cross stolen in Gauteng
A 49-year-old man will on Wednesday appear in court after police in Limpopo recovered a a Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid valued at approximately R400 000, which was stolen in Gauteng.
Image: SAPS
The swift and coordinated efforts of the Limpopo tracking team and provincial investigating unit, together with external law enforcement partners, have led to the recovery of a stolen vehicle and the arrest of a 49-year-old foreign national.
Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said intelligence was received about a suspected stolen motor vehicle travelling along the N1 towards Polokwane.
“Operational teams immediately launched an anti-smuggling operation and kept the vehicle under close observation,” said Ledwaba.
The targeted vehicle, a Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid valued at approximately R400 000, was intercepted upon entering the city.
“A thorough investigation at the scene confirmed that the car had been reported stolen in Heidelberg, Gauteng, in January 2025,” Ledwaba said.
The suspect, who was driving the vehicle, was arrested on the spot.
“He is expected to appear before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 10 September 2025, facing a charge of possession of a stolen motor vehicle,” Ledwaba added.
Police investigations are continuing.
Joseph Kungwengwe was sentenced to six years direct imprisonment after he was arrested driving a stolen Toyota Corolla Cross to Zimbabwe.
Image: SAPS
In June, IOL reported that the Mokopane Regional Court had imposed six years of direct imprisonment against a 37-year-old Zimbabwean man, Joseph Kungwengwe, after he was found in possession of a stolen vehicle, a Toyota Corolla Cross.
The police intercepted and recovered the compact sport utility vehicle in Mokopane on 29 December last year.
Kungwengwe was subsequently arrested after the stolen vehicle was intercepted.
At the time, Ledwaba said the Toyota Corolla Cross was reported stolen at Brakpan, in Gauteng province, in 2024.
“Limpopo provincial anti-smuggling team received intelligence information about a suspected stolen motor vehicle from Gauteng province driving along N1, en route to Beitbridge port of entry,” said Ledwaba.
He added that the stolen vehicle was to be smuggled from the South African side of the border into neighbouring Zimbabwe.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
IOL News