PRETORIA, South Africa — While recovery teams scoured the border river near Crooks Corner for evidence, a crucial satellite ping at 3:42 AM revealed that the suspects had already fled hundreds of miles into Mozambique with the stolen green Ford Ranger, authorities say.

New timeline details emerging in the investigation show that as divers were deployed in the international waters where South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe meet, law enforcement in Pretoria received critical tracking data confirming the vehicle had crossed into Mozambique.

Investigators believe the syndicate deliberately attempted to mislead authorities by heading toward the river, hoping the water would destroy or conceal evidence of their crimes. Instead, advanced satellite and chassis tracking technology provided the breakthrough that shifted the focus deep into Mozambican territory.

The stolen Ford Ranger — now believed to be hidden under heat-blocking tarps inside a heavily fortified luxury compound in Maputo — has become the central piece linking the suspects to a larger cross-border criminal network.

South African Police Service (SAPS) Elite Special Task Force units, working in coordination with Mozambican authorities, have since surrounded the Maputo estate. A raid on the compound is reported to be imminent, with multiple syndicate members believed to be inside.

The couple pictured in connection with the case — a man and woman who appear to have ties to Kruger National Park — are now at the center of the manhunt. Authorities have not yet released their names, but sources indicate they are key persons of interest in the vehicle theft and possible related crimes.

This latest development underscores the increasing use of advanced surveillance technology in tracking cross-border syndicates that have long exploited the porous borders around Kruger National Park and the Limpopo River region.

The investigation remains active, with joint task forces maintaining pressure on the Maputo compound. Further updates are expected as the operation unfolds.