iLembe cops escalate crackdown on undocumented foreigners

Police in the iLembe region are intensifying efforts to curb the presence of illegal immigrants.

District commander, Major-General Anthony Gopal, said the 42 illegal foreigners recently arrested in the KwaDukuza central business district, covered just a fraction of the streets in KwaDukuza.

He emphasised that the intention is not to be insensitive and target people from fellow African countries, but simply to enforce existing laws.

Undocumented individuals, he said, pose challenges to meeting the needs of the local population, as population size plays a crucial role in resource allocation for services.

Gopal recounted the arrest of a factory owner and 38 undocumented foreigners in iSithembe last year, an incident that brought home the vulnerability of illegal foreigners.

But police operations, he said, would continue to focus on combatting drug-related crimes and other criminal behaviour.

The region is experiencing a significant number of contact crimes such as assault, rape, murder and attempted murder, house robberies and break-ins.

Residents continually voice their concern about under-resourced police stations and their lack of confidence in law enforcement.

In response, Gopal urged residents to actively contribute to reducing crime.

He emphasised that many contact crimes occur among acquaintances, often fuelled by alcohol consumption.

As an example, he said police recently closed down an illegal tavern in Shaka’s Head following reports of stabbings there.

“Later we heard it reopened the next day. People know it’s an illegal tavern but still frequent it,” he said.

“In another recent incident while we were conducting an operation in Shayamoya, a man was stabbed. We missed that by seconds, but the attacker is known to us and we will find him. However, it turned out that the attacker and victim knew each other and were drinking together,” said Gopal.

He did not deny the lack of resources at some police stations but said it was not an excuse for police to not adequately serve the community.

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