Police at Acornhoek in Mpumalanga have arrested a 42-year-old pastor, his driver, and four other people for possession of a stolen vehicle.
The six people were arrested on Thursday, according to provincial police spokesperson, Captain Magonseni Nkosi.
He said police officers were conducting a routine patrol near Klaserie Dam when they spotted a vehicle with six occupants coming from the dam.
“The vehicle had only one registration plate in front. Members conducted an investigation on the suspicious vehicle, and it was established that the vehicle, a Toyota Corolla, was reported stolen at Maake SAPS in Limpopo province back in 2011,” said Nkosi.
“According to information, the 42-year-old pastor claimed ownership of the vehicle and indicated that he bought the vehicle from a private seller in Acornhoek.”
The man of the cloth further indicated to police that he requested his 26-year-old driver to accompany him with the four members from his congregation, aged between 20 and 31, to the Klaserie Dam for some rituals.
“All six people were arrested for possession of a reported stolen vehicle. The vehicle was seized for further investigation,” said Nkosi.
The six people who were in the vehicle, including the pastor, were on Friday expected to appear in the Acornhoek Magistrate's Court.
Meanwhile, acting provincial commissioner of police in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi has saluted the police officers who recovered the Toyota Corolla.
Mkhwanazi also warned community members to buy vehicles from registered dealers or verify with the authorities before buying vehicles from private sellers.
In February, IOL reported that a South African man was arrested by members of the SAPS in Mpumalanga as he attempted to cross the border into Eswatini, using a vehicle reported stolen 14 years ago.
The 31-year-old man appeared before the Amsterdam Magistrate's Court in Mpumalanga, facing charges of possession of a suspected stolen vehicle.
IOL