Johannesburg - Two suspects who hoped to spend their earnings for stealing or transporting stolen vehicles spent Christmas night behind bars after they were arrested for possession of stolen vehicles in the Kruger National Park.
The two suspects, ages 25 and 43, were arrested on Sunday evening after they tried to avoid police operations by opting for the holidaymakers' routes in Kruger National Park.
Police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, said the suspects entered the park via the Numbi gate, possibly to avoid police operations on the N4, aiming to exit the park either via Malelane or Komatipoort gates.
"Feeling freedom at the park, they decided to spend some time at the Afsaal picnic area. Unknowingly that tracker has already picked up the signal for one of the vehicles," Mohlala said.
According to the police, Tracker alerted police and SanPark security personnel, who intercepted one of the vehicles.
"Upon interception, the suspect would not go down alone, but he revealed that there was a second stolen vehicle in the picnic area, and that led to the arrest of the second suspect," Mohlala said.
Both vehicles, Toyota Hilux extended cabs, were reported stolen in Delmas and Daveyton in December 2022.
The stolen vehicles were already fitted with false registration plates when the suspects were nabbed.
The suspects are expected to make their first court appearance on Wednesday, December 28 for possession of stolen vehicles. Police can’t rule out possibilities of adding other charges as investigations continue.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela hailed the partnership displayed by different disciplines that led to the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of the stolen vehicles. Manamela further warned criminals that they could try to evade the police, but they couldn’t hide.
"Our members are deployed in all the corners of the province. Tourists and locals' safety will remain our top priority," Manamela said.
The Star