Two Ford Rangers, a Toyota Hilux D4D and a Toyota Fortuner were confiscated by the SANDF after being found loaded with illicit cigarettes in operations near the R572 and Beitbridge port of entry.
Image: SANDF
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF), through Joint Tactical Headquarters Limpopo and the 1 South African Tank Regiment, has confiscated illicit cigarettes and vehicles worth more than R4 million during intelligence-driven operations near Beitbridge.
According to information supplied by Captain Moses Semono, soldiers acted on intelligence and entered a farm along the R572 road where they discovered two Ford Rangers and a Toyota Hilux D4D valued at R1,100,000.
Two Ford Rangers, a Toyota Hilux D4D and a Toyota Fortuner were confiscated by the SANDF after being found loaded with illicit cigarettes in operations near the R572 and Beitbridge Port of Entry.
Image: SANDF
The vehicles were fully loaded with illicit cigarettes valued at R2,551,000. One suspect was apprehended at the scene while another managed to flee.
In a related operation on the southern side of Beitbridge Port of Entry, soldiers confiscated a Toyota Fortuner valued at R250,000 that was fully packed with illicit cigarettes valued at R450,151.20.
Two Ford Rangers, a Toyota Hilux D4D and a Toyota Fortuner were confiscated by the SANDF after being found loaded with illicit cigarettes in operations near the R572 and Beitbridge Port of Entry.
Image: SANDF
Members of the South African Police Service were called to both scenes and took over the cases for further investigation and processing in line with protocol.
Officer Commanding Joint Tactical Headquarters Limpopo, Colonel Dikgabane Herold Tladi, commended officer commanding 1 South African Tank Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Lungile Frans, for the work carried out by the soldiers during the operations.
Earlier this week, IOL reported that the SANDF said its members deployed in Limpopo under Joint Tactical Headquarters Limpopo remain “extremely vigilant” as they continue border safeguarding operations.
According to a statement posted by the SANDF, members of 1 South African Tank Regiment on February 8, 2026, spotted a Toyota Land Cruiser valued at R1,513,300 attempting to cross the Limpopo River, which was full of water at the time.
The occupants allegedly fled to the opposite side of the river upon noticing the soldiers. SANDF members guarded the vehicle until February 17, 2026, when resources became available to retrieve it from the river.
Following circulation with the South African Police Service (SAPS), the vehicle was confirmed as having been reported stolen in Boksburg, Gauteng, on February 6, 2026.
In a separate incident, a Toyota Fortuner valued at R539,900 was confiscated at Gumbu along the South Africa–Zimbabwe border. Both vehicles were handed over to SAPS.
IOL News