Polokwane – The Polokwane Regional Court has handed down a 15-year prison sentence to Simon Andile Nyathi, a 40-year-old Zimbabwean national residing illegally in South Africa, for the theft of a motor vehicle and contravention of the country's Immigration Act. The court's decision, delivered on August 28, 2025, marks the culmination of a case that highlights both cross-border crime and the ongoing challenges of undocumented migration in the region.
The case began in May 2024, when members of the Limpopo Provincial Tracking Team, working in conjunction with private security firms Mighty Security and Tshimollo Security and Investigation, received intelligence regarding a stolen vehicle. According to provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, the information led them to a silver Isuzu double cab bakkie parked near a fuel station along the N1 freeway.
"Members of the Limpopo provincial tracking team, in collaboration with Mighty Security, and Tshimollo Security and Investigation, received positive information about a stolen vehicle, a silver Isuzu double cab," said Ledwaba, detailing the operation that led to Nyathi's arrest.
The vehicle in question belonged to the SAPS (South African Police Service) Crime Intelligence Unit and had been reported stolen from Soshanguve, Gauteng province, on May 2, 2024. Upon locating the bakkie, officers apprehended Nyathi, who was found in possession of the vehicle. Further investigations revealed that Nyathi was in South Africa illegally, leading to additional charges under the Immigration Act of 2002.
The Immigration Act prohibits undocumented foreigners from residing or working in South Africa without the necessary permits. Violations of this act can result in fines, imprisonment, or deportation.
Following his arrest, a docket was opened, and the case was assigned to Sergeant Mmalesetja Senyatsi of the Polokwane Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit (VCIU). Sergeant Senyatsi, known for her meticulous approach, gathered evidence that included tracking data, witness statements from the filling station, and official documentation confirming Nyathi's illegal status in South Africa.
During the trial, the prosecution successfully proved that Nyathi had unlawfully possessed the SAPS vehicle. With regards to the immigration charge, the court was presented with irrefutable evidence that Nyathi lacked a valid visa or permit, having entered the country through irregular channels.
Nyathi pleaded not guilty to the charges, claiming he had unknowingly borrowed the vehicle. However, the court rejected his defence, citing the overwhelming evidence against him.
Ultimately, Nyathi was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for the theft of the motor vehicle (Count 1) and two years imprisonment for contravention of the Immigration Act (Count 2). The court ordered that the sentences run concurrently, meaning Nyathi will serve a total of 15 years behind bars.
The magistrate presiding over the case emphasised the severity of stealing a vehicle belonging to law enforcement, stating that such actions undermine public safety and the ability of the police to carry out their duties effectively. The court also stressed the importance of deterring illegal entry into South Africa, particularly when linked to criminal activities such as vehicle theft, which often involves sophisticated cross-border networks.
Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, the Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, has welcomed the sentence, praising the efforts of the investigating officer and the arresting team. Hadebe stated that their hard work "ensures that criminals are kept behind bars."
Hadebe also acknowledged the crucial role played by the private security firms in the operation, highlighting the importance of collaboration between law enforcement and the private sector in combating crime. She noted that such partnerships are particularly vital in a province like Limpopo, where vehicle hijackings and thefts are prevalent along major transport routes like the N1.
"Hadebe also applauded the investigating officer and the arresting team “for working tirelessly, as that ensures that criminals are kept behind bars," Ledwaba said.
The commissioner's remarks reflect the broader efforts by SAPS to tackle vehicle crime, which remains a significant challenge in South Africa. According to SAPS statistics, over 50,000 vehicles are stolen annually, with a considerable number being smuggled across borders into neighbouring countries such as Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Limpopo, which shares borders with both nations, is particularly vulnerable due to its numerous porous entry points and established smuggling routes.
In 2024 alone, Limpopo police recovered over 200 stolen vehicles, many of which were destined for export. Commissioner Hadebe has urged communities to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities, emphasising that tip-offs from the public, such as the one that led to Nyathi's arrest, are invaluable in the fight against crime.
This case echoes a similar incident in June, when the Mokopane Regional Court in Limpopo sentenced another Zimbabwean man, 37-year-old Joseph Kungwengwe, to six years imprisonment for possession of a stolen Toyota Corolla Cross. Kungwengwe was arrested after police intercepted the vehicle in Mokopane on December 29 of the previous year. The Toyota Corolla Cross had been reported stolen in Brakpan, Gauteng province.
Colonel Ledwaba, speaking at the time of Kungwengwe's arrest, explained that "Limpopo provincial anti-smuggling team received intelligence information about a suspected stolen motor vehicle from Gauteng province driving along N1, en route to Beitbridge port of entry."t
The South African Police Service continues to urge members of the public to report any information that may assist in the prevention and detection of crime.
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