Joint R55 operation between SAPS, home affairs arrests 24 illegal foreigners
“Many people who use this road are carrying dangerous things.”
Twenty-five illegal immigrants were arrested on Thursday morning during a joint police and home affairs operation.
The operation was held on the R55 near the Zwartkop race track in Centurion.
Brigadier Samuel Thine described the operation as “successful”, adding that the police managed to make 24 arrests in a few hours.
“In total, we have arrested 31 people – 25 of them being illegal immigrants. We have closed five illegal shebeens that were operating without a licence and we confiscated liquor,” he said.
WATCH| Joint R55 operation between SAPS, home affairs arrests 24 illegal foreigners pic.twitter.com/QWK4In8u79
— Pretoria Rekord (@RekordNewspaper) November 11, 2022
He said that police also arrested an individual in possession of “hardcore” drugs.
More than 400 arrests were made during the operation since Wednesday.
Home affairs spokesperson Vela Chivose told Rekord that they checked and verified foreigners’ documentation.
WATCH | Joint R55 operation between SAPS, home affairs arrests 24 illegal foreigners pic.twitter.com/9pbzp0o0ed
— Pretoria Rekord (@RekordNewspaper) November 11, 2022
“If a person fails to identify himself or herself, that person will be arrested and charged in terms of the immigration act section 49.”
He said, that morning they arrested 24 men from various SADC countries and a Zimbabwean woman.
The operation was met with a mixed reaction from motorists who were stopped at the roadblock.
An Olievenhoutbosch resident, Tendani Stanley, said the roadblock caused an unnecessary traffic jam, adding that the operation would have meant something if it was done regularly.
“I am not happy. Now I am being given a ticket because I received a call from someone who’s at the hospital. I am not okay and now I have to rush to the hospital,” said Stanley.
Motorist Ernest Motlhale was, however, happy with the stop-and-search.
He said that the road was “full of thugs and unsafe, especially during the festive season”.
“Look, I don’t have a problem with this. It’s actually a great thing. Many people who use this road are carrying dangerous things,” he said.
He added that his car was also searched by the police.
In a similar operation in 2021, home affairs arrested 62 illegal immigrants.
ALSO READ: Masandawana Ladies into the CAFWCL final, courtesy of Rabale
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
