Polokwane. Police recovered a white Nissan Navara after a high-speed pursuit that ended with an attempted river crossing into Zimbabwe and an exchange of gunfire, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said on Sunday.
Chase along the borderline
SAPS spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba reported that members of the Beitbridge Task Team were on patrol along the N1 and Malala Drift Road in the Musina policing area when they sighted the bakkie travelling at speed towards the Limpopo River. The vehicle was followed as it headed for the border.
“Members of the Beitbridge Task Team were conducting patrols along the N1, borderline and Musina policing area when they spotted a white Nissan Navara travelling at high speed along Malala Drift Road towards the borderline,” Colonel Ledwaba said.
Ledwaba said the suspects opened fire on officers during the pursuit and police returned fire. Additional Beitbridge uniformed members were dispatched for backup, and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) provided assistance during the operation.
Vehicle abandoned on Zimbabwe side; recovered from the river
According to police, the suspects drove the bakkie through the Limpopo River, reached the opposite bank in Zimbabwe and left the vehicle before fleeing into the neighbouring country. Members entered the water and successfully recovered the Navara.
Preliminary checks indicated the vehicle had been reported stolen earlier this month in Brooklyn, Gauteng. The Nissan Navara has been seized and is being held for further investigation.
Officers praised; manhunt under way
Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers, Provincial Commissioner of SAPS in Limpopo, commended the members involved for their vigilance and resolve.
“Our borders must never become escape routes for criminals,” Lieutenant General Scheepers said, describing the response as evidence of sustained readiness along the province’s border corridors.
No police members were reported injured during the incident. The suspects remain at large and a manhunt has been launched in co‑operation with cross‑border and joint security structures, police said.
What the operation involved
- Initial sighting and pursuit by the Beitbridge Task Team along Malala Drift Road.
- Support from uniformed SAPS members and assistance from the SANDF.
- Exchange of gunfire between suspects and police; suspects fled into Zimbabwe after abandoning the vehicle.
- Recovery of the vehicle from the river and seizure for further forensic and tracking work.
The recovered vehicle will form part of ongoing investigations into cross‑provincial car theft syndicates. SAPS did not release further details on the number of suspects involved or whether any shots hit the vehicle or surrounding property.
Context and local impact
Beitbridge and the Musina area are long‑standing transit points for criminals seeking to exploit porous borders. Local policing teams have in recent years stepped up operations with SANDF and other law‑enforcement partners to prevent stolen vehicles, fuel and wildlife trafficking from crossing into neighbouring countries, police sources said.
Residents and road users are reminded that high‑speed pursuits near border crossings can pose risks to bystanders and should be reported through official SAPS channels. Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact the nearest police station or the Beitbridge Task Team, police added.
| Date | Location | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 16 August 2026 | Malala Drift Road / Limpopo River border | Pursuit, exchange of gunfire, vehicle abandoned on Zimbabwe bank, recovery into SA |
Further updates are expected as detectives continue forensic work on the recovered bakkie and co‑ordinate with regional partners. The matter remains an active investigation.
Reported by provincial SAPS spokespeople and confirmed by the office of the Provincial Commissioner.
