Polokwane – Thirty-five-year-old Kenias Chimbwanda, who was caught trying to smuggle a stolen white Toyota Prado VX from South Africa into neighbouring Zimbabwe, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison by the Mankweng Magistrate’s Court in Limpopo.
Chimbwanda was sentenced on Friday, 27 February 2026, for possession of a stolen motor vehicle and contravention of the Immigration Act.
Commenting on the matter, police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the accused was part of a well-coordinated anti-smuggling operation.
Chimbwanda was arrested during an anti-smuggling operation on 27 August 2025 at Solomondale, in the Sebayeng policing area, Capricorn District, resulting in the recovery of a stolen white Toyota Prado VX, valued at R900 000.
The operation involved the Limpopo Tracking Team, Limpopo Provincial Investigations Unit, working alongside External law enforcement security firms.
Narrating events leading to Chimbwanda’s arrest, the police spokesperson said: “Intelligence was received about a stolen Toyota Prado VX, which was stolen in Gauteng Province and was going to be smuggled into Zimbabwe”.
Colonel Ledwaba said the operational team monitored the R71 until the stolen vehicle was spotted driving towards Mankweng.
“The team tried to stop the vehicle, but the driver, Kenias Chimbwanda, sped off towards Solomondale,” said Colonel Ledwaba.
“The team gave chase, and the Prado crashed near the Solomondale railway line, colliding with a local [school] principal’s motor vehicle.
“The car was intercepted in the bushes near R81.”
Investigations revealed that the vehicle was reported stolen in Lyttelton, Pretoria, on Wednesday, 27 August 2025, at about 9:00 am.
The 35-year-old Zimbabwean was arrested, tried, found guilty, and sentenced by the Mankweng Magistrate’s Court in Limpopo.
Chimbwanda was sentenced to 10 years in prison for possession of a stolen vehicle and two years in prison for breaching South African immigration laws.
However, the court ordered that the sentences would run concurrently.
Limpopo SAPS Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe applauded Chimbwanda’s conviction and sentencing.
She emphasised the effectiveness of cooperation in combating cross-border vehicle smuggling.
Meanwhile, in a separate matter, 26-year-old Pontsho Mahule and 27-year-old Neo Trinity Masoha appeared before the Modimolle Magistrate’s Court after they were arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle.
The pair was arrested along N1 North, near Kranskop Filling Station, by the Waterberg District Flying Squad on Wednesday, 25 February 2026.
The white Range Rover, valued at R2 million, was reported stolen at Bramley Police Station, Gauteng Province, earlier in February 2026.
Colonel Ledwaba said both accused were remanded in custody until their next court appearance on 5 March 2026.
