Gauteng police recovered 23 stolen cars, allegedly at a second-hand car dealership in Benoni and a premises in Bezuidenhout Valley, eastern Johannesburg, police said on Wednesday.
Superintendent Andy Pieke said three people, ages 35, 36 and 42, were arrested.
”The recovery of the vehicles is viewed as important. There is a distinct possibility that a car theft syndicate could be uncovered,” Pieke said.
He said police followed up information on Tuesday and went to the dealership where they seized 17 vehicles valued at an estimated R180 000. The 17 were confirmed stolen.
They then went to the Bezuidenhout Valley premises where a further six vehicles were seized. They were also confirmed to have been stolen and were estimated to be worth R420 000.
Pieke said police expected to make more seizures and warned that some people who had unwittingly bought vehicles from the dealership could find their acquisitions impounded.
The vehicles had duplicate registration plates and papers, Pieke said. – Sapa