South Africa: The presence of five South African Infantry Battalion, South African Police Service and Tracker in KwaZulu-Natal, along the South Africa/Mozambique border, is making it increasingly difficult for criminal syndicates in the area.
This was evident in an incident that occurred on 23 January 2023, when 5 South African Infantry Battalion members conducted a Joint Operation with Manguzi South African Police Service. During the operation, they received a confirmation from Tracker that a stolen Grey Toyota Hilux was in Manguzi.
The vehicle was reported stolen by heavily armed suspects during a house robbery in Hluhluwe, Northern KwaZulu-Natal.
The vehicle was found abandoned in Mbazwane, on the R22, near Manguzi. The owner was contacted to attend the scene. The vehicle was then handed over to Hluhluwe South African Police Service for further administration. The estimated value of the vehicle is R600,000.00.
After the operation, other deployed members were going back to their base when they came across a stolen white quantum in the Thelizolo area. The quantum was stopped and searched, and the occupants were six undocumented persons with a driver and co-driver, who are South Africans.
The undocumented persons were apprehended and taken to Manguzi South African Police Service together with the driver and co-driver, who were charged under the Immigration Act of 2002 for aiding and abetting illegal immigrants. The vehicle was impounded and is at Manguzi South African Police Service. The quantum is said to be worth R800 000.00.
Another quick response by the SA National Defence Force, South African Police Service and Tracker led to the recovery of a Toyota Rav 4. This incident also took place on 23 January 2023 in the Phelindaba area (Northern KwaZulu-Natal. The vehicle’s estimated value of R600 000.00. It was also taken to Maguzi South African Police Service.