The ninth South African National Defence member, aged 31, has been arrested on Monday, 20 September 2021 in relation to cross-border vehicle smuggling.

The suspect forms part of eight SANDF members who were arrested in North West, Free State and Northern Cape provinces on 21 June 2021 during a sting operation between the Hawks, National Intervention Unit and SANDF members under the project dubbed “Night Vigil’. The other suspect was arrested last week in Northern Cape.

Between 2017 and 2019, the accused were deployed at Beitbridge Border Post to protect the territorial integrity of the Republic of South Africa. Instead of carrying out their constitutional mandate, the accused allegedly connived with vehicle smuggling syndicates to smuggle stolen vehicles through the Limpopo River. It is further alleged that each vehicle would pay R15 000-00 that would be shared among themselves.

The accused were on the radar of the Hawks until they were arrested. The suspect will appear in the Musina Magistrate’s Court soon to face corruption charges.

The other eight accused persons are currently out on R3000-00 bail and they will appear again on 25 October 2021.

Source: South African Police Service