From Signal Jammers to Justice: Rustenburg Car Theft Syndicate Falls

Rustenburg – A high-stakes motor vehicle theft syndicate operating in Rustenburg and beyond has been brought to its knees, thanks to the relentless efforts of a multidisciplinary task team. The acting provincial commissioner of North West, major general Patrick Asaneng, commended the team for its dedication in exposing the intricate web of criminal activity that had plagued Tlhabane and surrounding areas.

Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone confirmed that among the stolen vehicles was a police officer’s private car, taken in Tlhabane on Sunday, 15 December 2024. 

The investigation involved multiple law enforcement units, including the Provincial Investigation Unit, Rustenburg Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit (VCIU), Crime Intelligence, Tactical Response Team (TRT), and Public Order Police (POP).

The breakthrough came on Thursday, 30 January 2025, when two syndicate members were apprehended in Tlhabane West. Investigations revealed that the network extended beyond North West, reaching into Mpumalanga, with stolen vehicles being sold both locally and across the border to Mozambique. 

Vehicles were reportedly offloaded for prices ranging between R20,000 and R35,000.
Authorities uncovered the sophisticated nature of the syndicate, which included a former tracking company employee, a signal jammer operator, a remote-controlled gate specialist, and even a police officer. With these specialised skills, the criminals had been operating under the radar, evading capture for an extended period.

Major general Asaneng expressed his gratitude to the team for their unwavering commitment in ensuring justice is served. “Their dedication and enthusiasm in tackling crime are commendable. Those who unlawfully dispossess citizens of their property must be held accountable,” he stated.
While two arrests have been made, investigations are ongoing to track down additional suspects and recover stolen vehicles. The arrested suspects appeared before the Rustenburg Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 3 February 2025.

The public is urged to remain cautious and report any suspicious activity to local authorities.