Five Durban CBD businesses shut down in massive crackdown
Metro Police and Home Affairs officials intensified raids in the city centre to crack down on illegal immigration and unlawful businesses.
AS tensions simmer with the looming deadline of June 30 issued by anti-illegal immigration activists for all foreign nationals to leave South Africa posing a threat to eThekwini’s stability, the City is pressing forward with joint operations to root out illegal immigrants from the Durban CBD.
Led by Durban Metro Police Service, Municipal Business Support, the Department of Home Affairs and various government institutions, the operation is yielding results. On Monday (May 25) 23 undocumented foreign nationals were arrested and five non-compliant retails outlets along Dr Pixley KaSeme and Anton Lembede Street were closed down.
Metro Police spokesperson Colonel Boysie Zungu said the aim is to tighten the grip on illegal immigration and non-compliant businesses.
“We’ve heard and are responding to the ongoing concerns of the mushrooming of illegal retail outlets, illegal and undocumented, dirt and grime, prostitution and the sale of illegal narcotics in and around the City,” said Zungu.
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He said among those arrested were nationals from Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Tanzania, and China.
The individuals were detained for immigration status verification by officials from the Department of Home Affairs.
“Following verification processes, 23 undocumented foreign nationals between the ages of 21 to 54 were confirmed to be unlawfully in the Republic and subsequently arrested in terms of the Immigration Act.”
eThekwini Municipality spokesperson Mandla Nsele said, “The City commends the collaborative efforts of all agencies involved, including the SAPS, Department of Home Affairs, Department of Labour, Department of Health, Metro Police, and other law enforcement partners.
“The City remains committed to sustained multi-disciplinary operations aimed at ensuring compliance with the law, maintaining public order, and creating a safer environment for residents, businesses, and visitors in the Durban CBD.”
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