Nelspruit: Two suspects aged 25 and 43 who hoped to splash earnings for stealing or transporting stolen vehicles had a night well spent behind bars after they were arrested for possession of stolen vehicles in the Kruger National Park on Christmas day.

The suspects tried to avoid police operations conducted by opting for the holidaymakers' routes in Kruger National Park.

It is alleged that after entering the park via Numbi gate with the suspicion of avoiding police operations on the N4, and possibly aimed at exiting the park either via Malelane or Komatipoort gates.

Feeling freedom at the park, they decided to spend some time at the Afsaal picnic area. Unknowingly that tracker has already picked up the signal for one of the vehicles.

Tracker alerted police and San Park security personnel who intercepted one of the vehicles. Upon interception, the suspect would not go down alone, but he revealed that there was a second stolen vehicle in the picnic area and that led to the arrest of the second suspect.

Both vehicles, Toyota Hilux extended cabs were reported stolen in Delmas and Dayveton in December 2022.

The stolen vehicles were already fitted with false registration plates.

The suspects are expected to make their first court appearance on Wednesday, 28 December 2022 for possession of stolen vehicles. Police can’t rule out possibilities of adding other charges as investigation continues.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela hailed the partnership displayed by different disciplines that led to the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of the stolen vehicles. The General further warned criminal that they can try to evaid the police, but they can’t hide. "Our members are deployed in all the corners of the province. Tourists and locals' safety will remain our top priority" concluded the General.

Source: South African Police Service