GQEBERHA – A joint operation by the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) led to the arrest of 76 undocumented foreign nationals, including seven children, in Central yesterday.
The operation formed part of heightened security deployments ahead of today’s planned nationwide protests on June 30.
Police also arrested three suspects accused of allegedly aiding and abetting undocumented foreign nationals, distributing fraudulent documents and possessing counterfeit goods.
According to police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg, SANDF members were patrolling the Central Business District when they noticed suspicious activity at a house in Havelock Street. They alerted SAPS, who responded to the scene.
Officers found 76 undocumented foreign nationals at the property, including seven children. They were arrested for allegedly contravening the Immigration Act and are being processed in accordance with the relevant legal and immigration procedures.
The three additional suspects, aged 43, 43 and 50, comprise two Ugandan nationals and one Malawian national.
They face charges of allegedly aiding and abetting undocumented foreign nationals, distributing fraudulent documents and possessing counterfeit goods.
Acting Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner Brigadier Loyiso Ngalo praised the members involved in the operation.
“Operations of this nature demonstrate the strong collaboration between law enforcement agencies in combating illegal immigration and related criminal activities,” said Ngalo. “We will continue to intensify intelligence-driven operations to ensure that those who facilitate criminality are brought to book while maintaining a safe and secure environment for all residents.”
Police said the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to combat illegal immigration and related crimes in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro. Investigations are continuing, and additional charges may be added as the investigation progresses.
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