{"id":45548,"date":"2024-02-14T10:16:03","date_gmt":"2024-02-14T08:16:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/undocumented-foreign-nationals-arrested-during-a-raid-in-butterworth-20240214\/"},"modified":"2025-03-21T08:52:48","modified_gmt":"2025-03-21T06:52:48","slug":"undocumented-foreign-nationals-arrested-during-a-raid-in-butterworth-20240214","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/undocumented-foreign-nationals-arrested-during-a-raid-in-butterworth-20240214\/","title":{"rendered":"Undocumented foreign nationals arrested during a raid in Butterworth"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Mnquma Local Municipality has confirmed that 21 undocumented migrants were arrested during a raid by a multi-disciplinary task team of Law Enforcement officers in Butterworth today, February 13. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The suspected migrants include two women, one Chinese woman and a Zimbabwean. A South African was also arrested for illegal possession of dagga. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other suspects were arrested for trading without a valid trading permit issued by the municipality.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The suspects, among them hardware store owners and Barber shop (hair salon) employees around the Butterworth CBD, include Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Ghanaians and two Lesotho nationals, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"

<\/p>\n

<\/span>Photo: Luvo Cakata <\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\"\"

<\/p>\n

<\/span>Photo: Luvo Cakata <\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Some of the suspects were arrested while hiding between roof sheets inside the hardware shops while others were arrested while trying to flee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
The raid led to the closure of several shops selling fast foods in the CBD. It comes hot on the heels of a raid against expired food products, which led to several arrests of shop owners in Butterworth, Centane and Ngqamakwe last year. <\/div>\n
Mnquma Local Municipality spokesperson, Loyiso Mpalantshane. <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe joint operation was led by Mnquma\u2019s Law Enforcement Unit, officials from the Department of Labour and the Department of Home Affairs,\u201d added Mpalantshane. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Police spokesperson Colonel Priscila Naidu could not immediately confirm knowledge of the arrests and when the suspects were due in court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
These operations will continue until each and every one complies fully with the laws of this country. We are going to be consistent in upholding the rule of law and we will not tolerate any illegal activity in our space. <\/div>\n
Mnquma Local Municipality municipal manager, Silumko Mahlasela<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Mnquma Local Municipality has confirmed that 21 undocumented migrants were arrested during a raid by a multi-disciplinary task team of Law Enforcement officers in Butterworth today, February 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