BLOEMFONTEIN — The Free State Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit has won a national award for best performance in the prevention, recovery and repatriation of stolen motor vehicles from Lesotho.

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The International Association of Auto Theft Investigators (IAATI) presented the award during its annual seminar in Limpopo on Tuesday 6 October. The IAATI president from the United States and Major General Mary Motsepe, head for Serious and Violent Crime Investigations in the South African Police Service, handed over the trophy.

A three-day seminar focuses on training related to vehicle crime investigation, with the best performing province selected for the award each year.

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The Free State team operates in collaboration with the Lesotho Mounted Police Service and other stakeholders, including Zonke Units, the Insurance Crime Bureau, Tracker and insurance companies. Cross-border operations aim to trace stolen vehicles and close illegal routes used by criminals along the border.

The unit comprises members from various Vehicle Crime Investigation Units across the province.