Six foreign male nationals are expected to appear in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court after they were arrested during an intelligence-driven operation conducted by the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Intervention Unit in Greenfields, Eden Park, on Tuesday.

According to EMPD spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Kelebogile Thepa, officers arrested the six men, aged between 30 and 47, for alleged contravention of the Immigration Act, as well as possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

Intelligence-driven operation

Thepa said officers acted on intelligence-driven information regarding a male suspect allegedly in possession of an unlicensed firearm.

“On Tuesday, June 30, the EMPD Intervention Unit officers proceeded to a premises in the Greenfields section, next to Eden Park. Upon arrival, officers located the suspect identified through intelligence. The officers introduced themselves and presented a search warrant before conducting a search of the premises,” said Thepa.

During the search, officers recovered the unlicensed firearm allegedly found in the suspect’s possession. Police said the firearm was circulated and returned a positive link to a pending murder case in Kagiso.

A further search of the premises led to the recovery of 25 live rounds of ammunition. Officers also found five undocumented foreign male nationals hiding inside the house.

All six suspects were arrested and detained at Eden Park Police Station. They are expected to appear in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court.

Marches held across the country

Meanwhile, anti-immigration groups, including March and March, Insizwa Nobunsizwa and South African residents, held marches in various parts of the country on Tuesday, calling for stronger action against illegal immigration.

In some areas, businesses remained closed, traffic volumes were lower than usual and some roads were affected as marchers demonstrated.

WATCH | Ghost town: Joburg South streets empty ahead of June 30 anti-immigration march

The groups said they were raising concerns about illegal immigration, crime, unemployment and pressure on public services.

The EMPD operation in Greenfields was a separate intelligence-driven police operation and was not linked to the anti-immigration marches.

Greenfields residents previously raised concerns

The arrests came days after Greenfields residents gathered at a community meeting on June 24 to voice concerns about undocumented migrants and foreign-owned spaza shops in the area.

Residents called on authorities to strengthen the enforcement of immigration laws and address community safety concerns.

The meeting took place several days before Tuesday’s police operation and was separate from the anti-immigration marches held across the country.

WATCH: Greenfields residents demand action on undocumented migrants and foreign-owned spaza shops