Vehicle smuggler, Enock Kalubangwe arrested
PRETORIA – Enock Kalubangwe (53) appeared at the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate’s Court on a charge of possession of the suspected stolen property.
The accused was arrested on 16 September 2022 during a multidisciplinary intelligence-driven operation by the Hawks’ Tactical Operations Management Section, Tracker Connect, Badboyz Security, GTP Saturation Unit, Vision Tactical SIU as well as ICB-Insurance Crime Bureau.
The information of the criminals who are allegedly smuggling stolen vehicles to neighboring countries led the team to agricultural premises in Bapsfontein where a man driving a Ford Ranger bakkie was detected.
The man attempted to evade arrest when he spotted the police and he was intercepted. An investigation was conducted which led to the recovery of two trucks. One was hijacked in Villiers in April this year whereas the second one was hijacked from Fochville in July 2021.
A number of vehicle registration documents, false registration plates, and cell phones were confiscated. It was further discovered that the suspect’s bakkie was stolen at Durban Central in July 2021.
Kalubangwe was charged and detained. He was remanded in custody until 27 September 2022 when he will reappear before the court.
During the further investigation on 19 September 2022, a Toyota Hilux was recovered by the team assisted by the Gauteng SAPS Highway Patrol in Pretoria. It was stolen at Edenvale in June this year.
More arrests cannot be ruled out as the investigation is ongoing.