The South African Police Services (SAPS) recently conducted a cross-border operation to combat car smugglers across South Africa and its neighbouring countries.
The initiative resulted in the arrest of more than 70 individuals and the recovery of numerous several stolen vehicles, including ones that were last seen as far back as 2017.
A big undertaking
The operation, which was given the designation “Siyaqoqa,” was executed over the span of five days at the border between the Free State and Lesotho, and involved various stakeholders from the police to local community members.
The goal of the exercise was to crack down on the widespread smuggling efforts moving goods in and out of Lesotho, including vehicles stolen from South African provinces like the Free State and Gauteng.
The police’s method involved the creation of multiple roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints, and stop-and-searches in the area, as well as compliance visits to nearby second-hand item dealers.
According to SAPS Captain Lorraine Earle, Operation Siyaqoqa led to the arrest of at least 72 persons who were charged with various offences including the possession of suspected stolen goods, driving while under the influence, possession of a dangerous weapon, illegal possession of a firearm, and contravention of the Immigration Act.
Non-complying shop owners were fined, while others were taken in for possessing illegal items.
Illegal border crossing between Free State and Lesotho. Source: SAPS
The procedure also had additional success when the SAPS discovered illegal border crossings used by the criminals to move contraband across national lines.
This included hundreds of sandbags and logs which were crafted into man-made bridges and rafts that smugglers used to transport cars, cargo, and people across the Caledon River.
People who were crossing the border illegally were taken into custody, and the crude border infrastructure was torn down.
Police investigators were also dispatched to the town of Mafeteng in western Lesotho, where they found a number of vehicles that were reported stolen in South Africa several years ago.
This included a Ford Ranger from Berea, Johannesburg which was taken in March 2021, and a BMW that was pinched from Midrand in January 2017.
The SAPS also found a Toyota Fortuner stolen from Krugersdorp in May this year, and a Toyota Quantum, which had its VIN and engine numbers tampered with but was ultimately traced back to a case from Soshanguve in May 2021.
Cars weren’t the only items being illegally transferred, as the authorities discovered a group of unaccounted-for livestock in Botshabelo, Free State, which were later revealed to be stolen from Dewetsdorp in August 2024.
Five cattle were confiscated, and information from Dewetsdorp community members led to the arrest of one male and the subsequent recovery of nine stolen sheep.
“Siyaqoqa” was an intelligence-led operation, however, the SAPS stated that it intends to continue with similar activities on a regular basis to counteract cross-border crime.
Join the discussion