MBOMBELA – Due to crime peaking in some parts of the town, authorities recently embarked on Operation Fiela. It is a nationwide operation that was launched in April this year.
More than 100 illegal immigrants were arrested in various parts of the Lowveld during this operation conducted by members of the SAPS, SANDF, home affairs and customs officials.
“Undocumented persons will be taken to the Lindela Home Affairs Centre where they will be deported according to their countries of origin,” explained Brig Selvy Mohlala, provincial police spokesman.
Homes in crime hot spots like Tonga, Pienaar, Mbombela and Matsafeni, as well as other parts of Mpumalanga, were raided.
According to Mohlala, 106 unlawful immigrants were arrested during the operation in the area. Four suspects were nabbed for possession of marijuana, one for possession of unlicenced ammunition and 20 for possession of counterfeit cigarettes, to mention but a few.
“Only three suspects were arrested for dealing in drugs, two for drunken driving, and one suspect was arrested for illegal possession of firearm, one for possession of gold-bearing material, one for possession of stolen property, one for hunting with snares, another one for possession of dangerous weapon and one for assault with the intention of causing grievous bodily harm,” he said.
During the operation various illegal and stolen goods were also confiscated. These included 55 match- boxes of marijuana, a shopping bag filled with marijuana, second-hand clothes to the value of R325 000 and hundreds of cartons of counterfeit cigarettes. Mohlala said recovered items would be stored at the police station for identification by their rightful owners. “We conduct operations like these so that our streets will become safe again,” Mohlala concluded.
