Cape Town — Police in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) arrested 123 undocumented foreign nationals on Tuesday during an integrated operation in which R4 million worth of counterfeit US dollars was seized.
The multidisciplinary operation, involving the South African Police Service (SAPS), Correctional Services, Home Affairs, and Metro Police, was aimed at reinforcing state authority, according to a police statement.
According to police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, police started by raiding hijacked buildings in and around the Durban CBD.
“Six buildings were raided and one of them was found to be a municipality-owned building which was illegally occupied, and a person who was allegedly collecting rent money from illegal residents of that building was taken in for questioning,” Netshiunda said.
He said police seized a total of 117 rounds of ammunition including various firearms, as well as a large amount of liquor was seized and recovered. Two of the hijacked buildings was not connected to any water and electricity, which was connected illegally.
One suspect was also arrested and was found in possession of cocaine crystal meth, as well as an undisclosed amount of money.
#sapsKZN 123 undocumented persons were arrested during an early integrated operation which also saw the recovery of counterfeit US Dollars equivalent to R4.1 million at Point, Durban CBD on Tuesday morning. A total of 117 rounds of ammunition of various calibre of firearms and… pic.twitter.com/Ws29XRu0cN
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) August 27, 2024
Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, KZN Premier, Thami Ntuli, said the police operations such as the one conducted on Tuesday were done to tackle criminal activities in areas which had been identified as crime hotspots.
“We have all the departments who are part of this operation, even Ethekwini is part of this operation. We intend to sustain this kind of operation, there is going to be a series of operations,” Ntuli said.
He added that the operations will not be refined to a single area of the province but he would spread throughout the province.
“There are places that we have planned to visit from here. Expect to see us all over to ensure that this is done,” he said
“We need to put up a plan to ensure that after we have evicted illegal occupants, they do not reoccupy these buildings again,” Ntuli added.
[WATCH] KZN Premier Thami Ntuli says police operations like the one carried out today aim to tackle criminal activities in places that are identified as crime hotspots. He speaks to Newzroom Afrika’s @nobuhlemodise. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/KEN95zP7aM
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) August 27, 2024
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Picture: X/@SAPoliceService
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
