Police in South Africa have recovered a stolen Toyota Land Cruiser ZX valued at R2.2 million (₦184 million based on a mid-market exchange rate) during a joint anti-smuggling operation on the N1 near Makhado in Limpopo.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the luxury Toyota SUV was being smuggled out of the country through the Beitbridge Port of Entry when the operational team, acting on information, stopped the vehicle near Makhado.
The 46-year-old driver of the vehicle was arrested and now faces charges of possession of a suspected stolen vehicle and operating a motor vehicle without a valid driving license.
“The operation was conducted by the Provincial Investigation Unit and Provincial Tracking Team with the assistance of private security partners: ShadowSecure Security, Tracker Connect, Tshimollo Security and Investigations, Limpopo Tactical Security, and Bas Secure,” SAP said in a statement.
“Acting on information that a suspected stolen vehicle was on its way from Gauteng to Limpopo for smuggling out of the country through the Beitbridge Port of Entry, operational teams kept observation along the N1 from Gauteng.”
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the vehicle had been reported stolen in Benoni, Gauteng, on Saturday, 18 July 2026. The 46-year-old driver was arrested and is expected to appear before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 27 July 2026.”