A Zimbabwean national and a naturalised South African citizen of Pakistani origin have been arrested in separate intelligence-driven operations by Limpopo police, one in connection with an alleged cross-border vehicle smuggling attempt and the other over the murder of a local businessman.
The first arrest followed a joint anti-smuggling operation by the Provincial Tracking Team and the Provincial Investigation Unit in the Makhado policing area during the early hours of Tuesday.
Police said intelligence indicated that a vehicle stolen in Gauteng was being driven towards the Beitbridge Port of Entry to be smuggled out of South Africa. Officers spotted the vehicle on the N1 North, but the driver allegedly sped off when police attempted to stop him, leading to a high-speed chase before the vehicle was brought to a halt.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the white Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport, valued at about R600,000, had been reported stolen in Krugersdorp on July 17.
The driver, a 44-year-old Zimbabwean national, was arrested and is expected to appear before the Makhado Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday on charges of possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle, as well as reckless and negligent driving.
In a separate breakthrough, the Provincial Tracking Team and Provincial Investigation Unit arrested a 29-year-old naturalised South African citizen of Pakistani origin at Ga-Mothapo, Tjatjaneng village, in connection with the murder of Makweng businessman Tebogo Mothapo.
Police said the suspect was found in possession of Mothapo’s cellphone, which had allegedly been stolen on the night of the killing.
Mothapo, 43, was shot and killed in Mankweng Zone 1 on the night of December 16, 2025. The motive for the murder was unknown at the time, and the case was transferred to the provincial office for further investigation.
The suspect is expected to appear before the Mankweng Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday on charges of murder and possession of suspected stolen property. Police said more arrests are expected as the investigation continues.
The two arrests are likely to stoke South Africa’s already simmering anti-illegal immigration sentiment, with cases involving foreign nationals frequently reigniting calls for tighter border controls and tougher action against cross-border crime.
Both investigations are continuing.
