Two men, suspected of planning to smuggle stolen vehicles worth R1.6 million across the border to Zimbabwe, were arrested on Monday.

Members of the Limpopo South African Police Service Provincial Anti-Smuggling Task Team and Capricorn District Flying Squad received a tip-off that two vehicles were going to be smuggled out of the country via the Beitbridge Port of Entry.

Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the team swiftly responded, and two vehicles, a grey Toyota Fortuner 2.8 and a white Toyota Hilux Gd6 double cab, were spotted along the R71 from Boyne, in Mankweng policing area towards the direction of Polokwane.

“The members stopped the two vehicles and upon searching them, the drivers failed to produce the valid documents of the vehicles. Both vehicles were fitted with false registration number plates and false license discs. The suspects were immediately arrested.”

Preliminary police investigations revealed that the Toyota Fortuner valued at R900000 was reported stolen at Muldersdrift, in Gauteng on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Toyota Hilux double cab valued at R700000 was reported stolen in Brooklyn Pretoria also on Saturday.

“The two suspects, aged 33 and 32, were arrested for possession of presumed stolen motor vehicles,” said Ledwaba.

The pair were expected to appear in the Mankweng Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.