ZiMoja provides updates on the latest crime news in various parts of the country.

GAUTENG: Seven stolen and hijacked vehicles were recovered from a chop shop in Marabastad yesterday during an operation by police and other law enforcement agencies. Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo said the police descended on Pretoria after the police crime intelligence team were on high alert for criminal activities that were taking place in Tshwane. At the chop shop, seven vehicles that were either stolen or hijacked were recovered, and the police also found intact engines in the storeroom. It is believed that the cars were taken to the chop shop after being stolen, stripped, and their parts sold. The owner was arrested. Law enforcement also raided a few other buildings in Tshwane, where 80 illegal immigrants were found and arrested at a rundown building where they were paying R1,200 to rent rooms. Counterfeit goods worth more than R700,000 were also confiscated from the building. The team also discovered an illegally occupied building where illegal manufacturing of plastic bags, including those of prominent chain stores, is taking place. Masondo added that other suspects were arrested for crimes that included possession of drugs, dealing in illicit cigarettes, possession of suspected stolen property and selling liquor without a license. Arrested suspects are expected to appear before Pretoria Magistrate's Court, while others were released after paying admission of guilt fines. 

LIMPOPO:  A 55-year-old male suspect was arrested by the members of the provincial anti-smuggling team after being found with a suspected stolen car yesterday. Police received information about a silver SUV that was alleged to be stolen in Gauteng and heading towards Musina. Colonel Stephen Thakeng said an immediate search for the motor vehicle was activated and subsequently spotted travelling along the N1 south highway outside Polokwane. The police intercepted the vehicle with one male occupant. Upon inspection of the car, it was discovered that chassis and engine numbers had been tampered with. The suspect failed to provide original papers for the car and he was immediately arrested. The silver Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV worth R500K was also seized during the arrest and the police said further investigations will be conducted to determine its origin. The suspect will appear before the Polokwane Magistrate's Court tomorrow facing a charge of contravention of Section 68(6) of the National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996 and possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle.

FREE STATE: Members of the Welkom K9 Unit, Welkom Flying Squad and Operation Vala Umgodi apprehended two foreign nationals for drug possession and trafficking. According to provincial spokesperson Colonel Thabo Covane, Constable Isak Johannes Jacobus Van Wyk of the Welkom K9 Unit received information from the Free State provincial counter-narcotics about a bus that had boxes suspected to be containing drugs loaded at a filling station at Grasmere on its way to Cape Town. The off-duty cop placed himself on duty and operationalised the information, where various police units were activated and a waylay was conducted at the off-ramp leading to R34 Road near Kroonstad. "After the bus was stopped, the team searched the vehicle and discovered 3,814 packages of Chata edulis, which is commonly known as kat, valued at over R200K. The bus and two cellphones used for contact between the people involved were also seized," Covane said. Two suspects aged 45 and 51 were arrested on charges of drug possession and trafficking. They will appear before the court soon.