Belfast- What began as a search for a single stolen truck quickly turned into a much bigger discovery after police traced the vehicle from Gauteng to a property in Belfast, Mpumalanga.
Members of the Middelburg Flying Squad, a tracking company, and Belfast SAPS acted on information about a truck with Mozambican registration plates that had been hijacked from its owner in Elsburg, Gauteng.
At around 16:00 on Thursday, 29 January 2026, police followed up on the tip-off and arrived at an address on Bhekimuzi Masango Drive in Belfast.
At the property, officers found two men busy working on the truck alongside mechanics. After identifying themselves as police, officers requested permission to search the premises, which was granted.
When asked about ownership, the suspects claimed the truck belonged to them, saying they were business associates. However, checks quickly revealed that the vehicle tested positive as the stolen truck, a finding later confirmed by the owner, who positively identified it.
By the time police arrived, the truck had already been stripped of several parts.
Further inspection of the yard uncovered eight tyres and additional stripped vehicle parts, which were booked as exhibits.
Even more concerning, police found other motor vehicles at the same property. One blue vehicle with Mpumalanga registration plates was tested and found to be wanted for theft in Berea, Gauteng, with the case dating back to 1993. The vehicle was seized for further investigation.
The two suspects were arrested and charged with possession of suspected stolen property, as well as contravening the Immigration Act. Police confirmed that the suspects are foreign nationals, and investigations into the full extent of the operation are continuing.
The suspects are expected to appear before the Belfast Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 02 February 2026. Police have indicated that additional charges or arrests have not been ruled out as investigations progress.
Authorities say the case highlights the importance of community tip-offs and inter-unit cooperation in combating vehicle theft across provincial borders.