Police in the Northern Cape have scored a series of major victories in the fight against crime in recent days. Operations in the province resulted in the interception of a stolen R1,4 million bakkie at the Vioolsdrift Border Post and the seizure of drugs with a combined street value exceeding R450 000. Successful arrests included offences ranging from vehicle theft and drug trafficking to cable theft and violent assault.

Stolen R1,4 million bakkie seized at border

A Toyota Hi-Lux bakkie with an estimated value of R1,4 million and which was reported stolen was confiscated in the early hours of the morning at the Vioolsdrift Border Post in the Northern Cape and the driver arrested.

The 48-year-old driver arrived at the border post on Thursday 9 July at approximately 02:57 at this border post between South Africa and Namibia, driving a white Toyota Hilux GD-6 Double Cab. The vehicle was allegedly en route from South Africa to Namibia, said Captain Ivan Magerman, communication officer in the Namakwa District.

During routine border inspections, SAPS members stationed at the search point conducted verification checks on the vehicle. The driver was unable to produce required documentation proving ownership of the vehicle. Preliminary enquiries revealed that he was not the registered owner and he alleged that he had borrowed the vehicle.

Furthermore, the driver failed to produce the required cross-border clearance letter from the bank as it was ascertained that the vehicle had been purchased during July 2026.

With the assistance of members of the Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit and following verification through relevant systems, it was confirmed that the vehicle had been reported stolen. This vehicle has an estimated value of R1 477 305.

The suspect was arrested and is expected to appear in the Springbok Magistrate’s Court on Friday 10 July on charges relating to the possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle.

The District Commissioner of Namakwa, Brigadier Schalk Andrews, said criminals must know that the SAPS will not allow stolen vehicles or other illicit property to be moved across the borders.

Deportation follows years in jail

In another unrelated case, two men will not only each serve 16 years in jail, but will also be deported after completion of their prison term following their conviction for tampering with essential infrastructure.

This follows a case in the regional court in Victoria West where two copper cable thieves were recently sentenced. In January 2025, a Transnet employee was conducting routine patrols between Noblefontein and Hazel Station when he noticed two men digging up underground copper cables belonging to Transnet.

The employee immediately alerted the police. Upon their arrival at the scene, the two suspects fled in different directions, leaving behind a substantial quantity of copper cables. Police members pursued and arrested Reboot Simon Ramphedi (34) and Tsela Morobi (41). They were subsequently charged with tampering with essential infrastructure, said Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Litabe, police spokesperson.

The court found both guilty and sentenced them to 16 years each behind bars for tampering with essential infrastructure. They were also convicted of contravening the Immigration Act and each received an additional three-month prison sentence.

Upon completion of their prison terms, both men will be deported.

Detective Sergeant Shawn Moses of the Organised Crime Investigation Unit, based in De Aar, was commended for his diligent investigation.

Stolen fencing and drugs confiscated

In De Aar, a suspect was arrested on a charge of possession of drugs with an estimated street value of R23 000, as well as the possession of suspected stolen Clear View fencing valued at approximately R18 000.

This arrest was conducted at a residence in Leeuwenshof in Sunrise on Tuesday 7 July at approximately 11:00, and was the result of an intelligence-driven operation.

With a search warrant issued, SAPS members searched the house as well as a vehicle parked inside the yard, leading to the discovery of the drugs and fencing. The suspect failed to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding his possession of the fencing. He was subsequently arrested and is expected to appear in the De Aar Magistrate’s Court soon, said Warrant Officer Molefi Shemane, media spokesperson.

Crashing into fence before arrest

In Keimoes, a 34-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday 8 July at 13:30 for the possession of dagga with a street value of R100 000. Before his arrest, SAPS members of the Keimoes Crime Prevention Unit tried to stop the silver-grey VW Polo which the suspect was driving.

The suspect failed to comply. A chase ensued and the driver lost control over the vehicle and crashed into a fence. As police apprehended the driver, he tried to discard two large bags out of the vehicle which were later found to be filled with the dagga. A substantial amount of cash was also confiscated, said Shemane.

Three arrests, drugs of more than R320 000 confiscated

Near Springbok, a 32-year-old man was arrested at a hitch-hiking spot in Okiep after suspected Mandrax tablets with an estimated street value of approximately R6 000 were found in his possession. A few hours later, shortly after 03:30 on Thursday 9 July, a 58-year-old man was arrested for the possession of suspected methamphetamine (tik) with an estimated street value of R73 332. This arrest follows after members of Charlie Platoon of the SAPS’s Public Order Police acted on information received, said Magerman.

Also this week, in Upington, SAPS members of the ZF Mcgawu District Task Team arrested a 37-year-old suspect on Wednesday for dealing in drugs. During the search, police seized several transparent bags containing dagga with an estimated street value of R251 500.

Jail time after striking mother with wooden plank

In Kakamas, a 28-year-old man has been convicted and sentenced to five years’ direct imprisonment in the Upington Regional Court for assaulting his 60-year-old biological mother. This follows an incident in August last year when the man demanded R20 from his mother. After she informed him that she did not have any money, he violently assaulted her, repeatedly striking her on the head with a wooden plank until it broke.

The victim sustained serious head injuries and reported the incident to the police. A case of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH) was registered and the accused was arrested shortly thereafter and remained in custody throughout the court proceedings, said Shemane.