Police arrest 80 ‘illegal’ immigrants during mass operation
Police also recovered several stolen vehicles from a chop shop and shut down an illegal factory.
Pretoria Central and West were a hive of police activity when authorities recently carried out Operation Heatwave leading to the arrests of 80 suspected illegal immigrants.
The arrests came on December 11 led by Gauteng deputy provincial commissioner for policing Major General Fred Kekana.
The multi-disciplinary operation led to the recovery of several stolen cars from a chop shop in Marabastad and in addition, police also seized over R700 000 worth of counterfeit goods.
Among the recovered stolen vehicles were:
– A Ford Fiesta stolen in Rustenburg in 2021
– A silver Polo stolen in Soshanguve in April this year
– A Ford Everest stolen in Olivenhoutbosch in June this year
– A Toyota Hilux stolen in Rietgat in June this year
– A Hyundai stolen in Tembisa in November 2023
– A Hyundai H1 stolen in Olivenhoutbosch in November 2020
– A For Fiesta stolen in Rietgat in 2019
“Police descended on Pretoria after the police crime intelligence team has been on surveillance for criminal activities that are taking place in Tshwane.
A special multidisciplinary operation as envisaged by the Ministerial Co-operation Agreement, was conducted.
The operation coincides with the safer festive season operations that are aimed at intensifying police visibility and ensuring that the people in Gauteng are and feel safe, especially this time of the year,” said SAPS spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo.
The team also discovered an illegally occupied building where illegal manufacturing of plastic bags, including those of prominent chain stores, was taking place.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court.
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