Two suspects are expected to appear in court after two fraudulently obtained, high-value rental vehicles were intercepted by the Border Management Authority (BMA) at the Kosi Bay Port of Entry in KwaZulu-Natal.
In a statement on Friday, the BMA said the vehicles were to be smuggled into Mozambique.
“The operation, which took place on Thursday, 29 October 2026, demonstrates the importance of effective vigilance on vehicle tracking and cooperation between the BMA and vehicle rental companies in preventing the illegal movement of vehicles across South Africa’s borders,” said the authority on Thursday’s incident.
At approximately 12:30, BMA border guards conducting operations at Kosi Bay identified a white 2025 Ford Ranger double cab, bearing a Mpumalanga registration number, driven by a 75-year-old South African male who intended to cross into Mozambique.
An inspection and subsequent interview with the driver raised suspicions that the vehicle, which belonged to a vehicle rental company, was being unlawfully taken across the border. The rental company was contacted and confirmed that it had not issued the required cross-border authorisation letter or the relevant Registration Certificate for the vehicle.
The company further indicated that, according to its tracking records, the vehicle was stationary in Johannesburg.
Upon activating its Cartrack system to verify the vehicle’s location, the company discovered that the tracking unit had been removed. During the operation, Border Guards identified another Ford Ranger, which had reportedly been flagged by the rental company as another one of their vehicles that were fraudulently rented out.
“The BMA border guard immediately alerted the senior commandant, after which they proceeded to engage their Mozambican counterparts. Following cooperation with Mozambican officials, the vehicle and its driver, a white male, were intercepted for further investigation.”
During questioning, the driver alleged that he had borrowed the vehicle from a friend residing in Pretoria.
A scrutiny of the vehicle documentation established that the cross-border authorisation letters and RC1 documents presented in respect of the vehicles were allegedly not authentic.
The car rental company was requested to provide copies of its genuine cross-border letters and registration documents to assist with verification.
“The two suspects were subsequently arrested and face charges relating to possession of suspected stolen property in terms of Section 36, forgery, fraud and uttering. Both suspects are expected to make their first court appearance on Friday, 30 October 2026,” the BMA explained.
Commenting on the operation, BMA Commissioner, Dr Michael Masiapato, said the successful interception demonstrates the value of intelligence-led border management and the importance of collaboration between the BMA and private-sector partners.
“The BMA has intensified its efforts to identify suspicious movements and continue to prevent vehicles obtained through alleged fraudulent means from being taken across our borders. Through the vigilance of our border Guards and timely information-sharing with the rental company, we were able to intervene and prevent the further movement of these vehicles into another country.”
Masiapato commended officials for their alertness and professionalism, as well as the cooperation demonstrated by the rental company and Mozambican counterparts.
“This operation sends a clear message that the BMA will continue to work with relevant stakeholders to close opportunities for cross-border vehicle smuggling, fraud and other forms of organised criminal activity. Such interventions also help protect businesses from potentially substantial financial losses,” he said. –SAnews,gov.za
Source: Original report at SAnews.gov.za.
