More than 100 vehicles stolen in SA and smuggled into Mozambique recovered since April

DURBAN - Over 100 vehicles stolen in South Africa and illegally smuggled into Mozambique have been recovered since April 2025. 

This was confirmed on Friday by authorities during a law enforcement operation at the Kosi Bay border, connecting South Africa and Mozambique in Manguzi, northern KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).

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Vehicle theft, especially of SUVs, is one of the common criminal elements in areas near the border gates. 

"There are recoveries. Thus far, we are told that there are about 105 cars that have been recovered, but now there’s a change from Toyota cars; we now see traces of trucks, there are about 25 trucks and 35 to 40 Quantums that are being recovered," said Siyanda Biyela from the KZN Community Policing Forum.

He added that more than 100 criminals were convicted of various offences linked to cross-border crime. 

"A number of plus minus 298 suspects have been brought to book in the justice system, and we are told that 107 cases have been closed with convictions."