Enock Kalubangwe, 53, appeared before the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate’s Court for allegedly smuggling stolen bakkies to neighbouring countries. PHOTO: Hawks
Man who smuggles stolen bakkies, trucks across the border arrested
The man was found with a number of fake licence plates as he forms part of a gang that smuggles stolen bakkies across the border.
Enock Kalubangwe, 53, appeared before the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate’s Court for allegedly smuggling stolen bakkies to neighbouring countries. PHOTO: Hawks
One of the criminals suspected of smuggling stolen bakkies and trucks into neighbouring countries has been arrested in Gauteng.
MEMBER OF STOLEN BAKKIES SMUGGLING GANG FOUND
The Hawks received information about criminals who allegedly smuggle stolen vehicles into neighbouring countries.
But this information led to agricultural premises in Bapsfontein, a farming town in Ekurhuleni, where a man driving a Ford Ranger bakkie was detected, said spokesperson Warrant Officer Bonnie Nxumalo.
A multidisciplinary intelligence-driven operation by the Hawks’ Tactical Operations Management Section made its way to the premises last Friday. They were accompanied by Tracker Connect, Badboyz Security, GTP Saturation Unit, Vision Tactical SIU and the Insurance Crime Bureau.
But upon their arrival, the man attempted to evade arrest as soon as he spotted the police. He was however intercepted, said Nxumalo.
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“An investigation was conducted which led to the recovery of two trucks. One was hijacked in Villiers [in the Free State] this year. The second one was hijacked in Fochville, Gauteng, in July 2021.”
Warrant Officer Bonnie Nxumalo
Numerous vehicle registration documents, false registration plates and cellphones were also found and confiscated by the multidisciplinary team.
The Ford Ranger bakkie which the suspect was discovered driving, was actually stolen from Durban Central in July 2021.
Investigations found on Monday that a Toyota Hilux bakkie was recovered by the team. They were assisted by the Gauteng South African Police Service Highway Patrol in Pretoria.
“It was stolen at Edenvale in June this year,” said Nxumalo.
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SUSPECTED VEHICLE SMUGGLER HEADS TO COURT
The accused bakkie smuggler, foreign national Enock Kalubangwe, 53, appeared before the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate’s Court on Monday. He faces charges of possession of suspected stolen property, said Nxumalo.
The alleged smuggler was officially charged and detained, Nxumalo said.
“He is remanded in custody until 27 September 2022 when he will reappear before the court. More arrests cannot be ruled out as the investigation is ongoing.”
