Ford’s next-gen Ranger has proven to be a popular addition to the Blue Oval’s lineup in South Africa, so popular that the local Silverton facility had R1,1 million worth of automotive parts stolen from it. Four suspects have since been arrested and appeared at the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court.
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Four suspects were arrested by the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation on 20 July, 2023 in Pretoria. Aged 29, 33, 37 and 44, the alleged perpetrators managed to temporarily disown Ford’s Silverton facility with an estimated R1,1 million worth of parts that would go into producing the next-generation Ford Ranger.
Related: Inside Ford’s state-of-the-art Silverton facility
Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said Ford Motor Vehicle Company of South Africa (FMCSA) reached out regarding possible theft of engines on Thursday (20 July). Two of the suspects arrested are reportedly security guards where the automotive parts were stolen from. A repair shop owner and the truck driver comprised a total of four suspects arrested for being in possession of the suspected stolen property.
“Following up on the information, it was later established that the theft allegedly occurred on the premises of the FMCSA where a truck from a courier company was used to load racks with about 36 engines,” Mogale said.
After the truck failed to follow the correct procedure, it exited the Silverton premises loaded with approximately R1,1 million worth of Ford parts and proceeded to an address at Charles Leyds Street in Eersterust to offload the loot. This instruction was reportedly given by a forklift driver.
Mogale said: The racks and forklift were found at the drop-off address without the engines. Two elderly persons found at the premises explained that they did not know about the cargo.
Ford South Africa has provided no comment on the ordeal.
