Police conduct raids in Joburg CBD; R100 000 worth of fake goods confiscated
JOBURG - It has been reported that police have already rounded up over 400 suspected illegal immigrants in the CBD.
Update; 8 May 08:35 am
The raid is part of operation Fiyela.
It was conducted by the SA National Defence Force, Department of Home Affairs, South African National Police Services and Metro Police. The Defence Force was called in to assist with crowd control.
R100 000 worth of fake and counterfeit goods were recovered during the raid at the corner of Heronmere and Booysens Roads.
Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar, spokesperson for Metro Police said, “Two men were arrested as they tried to bribe police with approximately R10 000. They were caught in an old warehouse with hundreds of counterfeit shoes.”
They face charges of attempted bribery and being in possession of counterfeit goods.
According to Colonel Katlego Mogale the raids are a result of xenophobic violence and the raid on 8 May was not limited to the Johannesburg Central Methodist Church. More raids are planned.
Mogale confirmed the body of a man in his thirties was found on Jeppe Street in the early hours of the morning on 8 May. Mogale said the pathology services suspected the body may have been dumped on Jeppe Street.
8 May; 7:10 am
A community member took to Twitter to say that the police and army were at the Joburg Methodist Church in the CBD on the morning of 8 May possibly conducting a raid.
Another community member told a local radio station that the police and army in the area.
Major Police and Army raid @JoburgCBD Methodist Church right now.
— Ankelithevillager (@Xolisani1983) May 8, 2015
Eyewitness News reported that police confirmed the Methodist Church in the Joburg CBD was “caught up” in the police’s crime prevention operation.
JUST IN:Police have just confirmed the Methodist church in the Jhb CBD has been caught up in the police's latest crime prevention operations
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) May 8, 2015
The raid reportedly started at 2 am on 8 May and will end at 10 am.
Colonel Katlego Mogale said the operation would move from the church into the rest of the Joburg CBD.
It was further reported that police have allegedly arrested illegal immigrants and are transporting them to the Johannesburg Central Police Station.
This is a developing story and updates to follow as more information becomes available.
