Limpopo police recover stolen R2.8m luxury Mercedes-Benz during cross-border operation - IOL

Limpopo police have recovered a luxury Mercedes-Benz V-Class worth R2.8 million after its driver allegedly abandoned it and fled on foot during a cross-border operation in Tshamutumbu.

Limpopo police have recovered a luxury Mercedes-Benz V-Class V300d, valued at approximately R2.8 million, during a cross-border safety operation in Tshamutumbu after its driver allegedly fled on foot upon noticing approaching police officers.

The black vehicle was recovered abandoned in the bushes on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.

Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the vehicle was later confirmed to have been reported stolen this month. 

“The vehicle was subsequently confirmed to have been reported stolen at Seshego Police Station during November 2026.

“Efforts to trace the suspects involved are under way,” Ledwaba said.

He said the recovery was made possible through a coordinated operation involving the Vhembe District Cross-Border Task Team, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), community cross-border structures and private security personnel, including a vehicle tracking company.

“Police investigations are continuing,” Ledwaba said.

Limpopo provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Jan Scheepers welcomed the recovery, saying collaboration and information-sharing between law enforcement agencies, private security companies and community structures remained essential in the fight against crime.

IOL previously reported that Limpopo police recovered at least seven suspected stolen vehicles and seized illicit cigarettes worth more than R800,000 during intensified operations targeting criminal syndicates operating along the Zimbabwean border.

The operations, conducted between August 13 and 16, 2026, involved police, the SANDF and other law enforcement partners.

Ledwaba said the operations targeted strategic routes, border areas and identified crossing points leading towards the Limpopo River and the Zimbabwean border.

“The operations focused on disrupting criminal syndicates involved in the movement of stolen vehicles and illicit goods across the border,” he said.

Police members were deployed along the N1, Musina, Tshamutumbu, Makhado, Malaladrift, Sandquest and surrounding areas, with support from the SANDF and other stakeholders.

Among the recoveries was a grey Nissan Navara reported stolen in the Linden police station's area.

A 27-year-old Zimbabwean national was arrested following an extensive search in the Tshamutumbu policing area.

The suspect was allegedly found hiding in bushes near the vehicle, which had been fitted with false registration plates and a fraudulent licence disc.

Police also recovered a Toyota Land Cruiser valued at approximately R700,000, which was allegedly hijacked from a farm in the Tshamutumbu policing area.

“The vehicle was later recovered abandoned in the Limpopo River,” Ledwaba said.

Other recovered vehicles included a white Peugeot Landtrek valued at approximately R750,000, a Toyota Corolla Cross worth R500,000, a white Ford Territory valued at R150,000 and a white Suzuki sedan worth R240,000.

A further suspected stolen vehicle was recovered after SANDF members alerted police to its location in the Limpopo River area.

In addition to the vehicle recoveries, police seized illicit cigarettes valued at approximately R877,679.

Ledwaba said the seizure included Royal Express and Remington Gold cigarettes found concealed in vehicles suspected to have been used for smuggling.

Further recoveries involving illicit cigarettes were made during the operations, including a Mercedes-Benz vehicle and another vehicle intercepted in the Mopani area.

Scheepers welcomed the recoveries and commended the officers involved for their vigilance, swift response to intelligence and cooperation with the SANDF and other stakeholders.

“We are intensifying the fight against cross-border crime and closing the routes that criminal syndicates believe they can exploit. The recovery of these vehicles and the seizure of illicit cigarettes demonstrate that our intelligence-driven deployments are yielding results.

“We will continue pursuing these criminal networks and ensure that those who facilitate cross-border crime face the full might of the law,” Scheepers said.