KOUGA – Police in the Sarah Baartman District have arrested 139 suspects, including 35 undocumented foreign nationals and a Chinese business owner in Humansdorp, following a sweeping week-long operation that targeted drug dealing, robbery, and immigration violations across the region.
According to police spokesperson Captain Marius McCarthy, during the period 1 to 7 June, police in the district executed 78 operations and arrested suspects for various crimes.
He said that among those arrested were 35 undocumented foreign nationals, as well as a 45-year-old documented Chinese business owner.
“The Chinese business owner was taken into custody during Operation Identity in St Francis Bay, Humansdorp, and Hankey,” said McCarthy.
He said that the Chinese national was arrested under Section 49(3), read in conjunction with Section 38 of the Immigration Act No. 13 of 2002, for employing foreign nationals without valid permits.
“Fines totalling R55,500 were issued,” said McCarthy.
As previously reported, speaking from the Union Buildings in Tshwane on 7 June, President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed a nation simmering with frustration over illegal immigration, acknowledging public concerns while drawing a direct link between the unrest and South Africa’s deepening struggles with unemployment, rising living costs, poverty, and a lack of economic opportunity.
During his address, Ramaphosa outlined a five-point crackdown on illegal immigration and warned against vigilante action.
In addition to Operation Identity, McCarthy said that Crime Intelligence-led operations resulted in the arrest of 26 suspects, 11 of whom were arrested for dealing in or possession of drugs.
McCarthy said that items recovered and illicit drugs seized during these operations across the district included mandrax, tik, cocaine, magic mushrooms, and rock kat, with a combined estimated street value of more than R311,885.
He said that successfully executed tracing operations led to the arrest of 43 suspects for various crimes.
McCarthy said that tactically focused combat operations secured a further 35 arrests.
The suspects are due to appear before various magistrate’s courts soon.
Brigadier Abdoerahgmaan Humphries, Acting District Commissioner of the Sarah Baartman District, praised the joint efforts of the SAPS and the multidisciplinary teams involved in the various operations.
“South Africa is a constitutional country governed by laws that must be respected by both citizens and foreign nationals. The root cause of illegal migration is often business owners exploiting undocumented workers for cheap labour, dodging minimum wages, and bypassing local labour regulations,” said Humphries.
“Locals must report illegal employment through proper channels rather than engaging in intimidation, violence, or unlawful protests.”
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