Intelligence driven operations, dubbed Network RS5, Operation Vulindlela, Network Operation Francina, Network Operation Ditloung and Network Operation Bo Yellow respectively, yielded enormous successes, when Grey Vehicles (foreign unregistered vehicles) worth more than R3 million were confiscated and impounded.
More than 70 grey vehicles were confiscated in the ZF Mgcawu, John Taolo Gaetsewe and Francis Baard Districts respectively between 9 September and 12 November 2021.
These grey vehicles were impounded under Section 88 (1) (a) read with Section 87 of the Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964. A multi-disciplinary law enforcement team comprising of Provincial Crime Intelligence, Kimberley Flying Squad, Kimberley Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit, the Department of Home Affairs and Custom executed the operations.
The main focus of the operation was to address and clamp down on the influx of foreign vehicles in the Northern Cape Province.
According to intelligence gathered, the owners of grey vehicles imported the vehicles into the Northern Cape Province without valid documents.
These types of transactions crippled the economy of the country with billions of rands.
During the operation in Kimberley, three suspects were arrested, subsequent to a high speed chase. The suspects were driving a vehicle with Lesotho registration number plates and they fled as police tried to pull them over. As the police searched suspects’ vehicle, rounds of ammunitions were found hidden in the back seats and on the driver’s side.
The suspect were arrested and charged with illegal possession of ammunition.
During the operations more than 40 undocumented foreign nationals were arrested, for contravention of Section 49 (1) (a) of the Immigration Act of 2002.
The Northern Cape Police Management in the Northern Cape, applauded the collective law enforcement agencies involved in the Takedown Operation.
