Smugglers often use a mule to convey contraband over a border. In this case, they had to use a few.

South African police have thwarted an attempt to smuggle a stolen luxury car into Zimbabwe, with the suspects using donkeys to pull it across the Limpopo river.

The culprits had placed metal sheets underneath the wheels of the Mercedez Benz C220 to make it easier for the animals to drag it, but the vehicle still ended up stuck in the sand near Musina.

Foiled in their attempts, the suspects then fled in the direction of Zimbabwe.

Police Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said the car was recovered from the bed of the river, which forms the border between the two countries.