In a sting operation including the Home Affairs Counter-Corruption and Security Unit, the Hawks detained 67 foreign people in Johannesburg. The raid occurred on Saturday night. Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi claims that some foreigners book rooms in hotels that do not exist in order to gain a spot in South Africa.
“Some would give the name of the hotel, and when you call the hotel, they have no knowledge of that person.” Others would tell us about Pakistani relatives who were visiting here, but when you tried to get their phone numbers, they would go blank. They are coming to South Africa to do what and where is unclear.” “We just have to turn them back very early,” Motsoaledi continues. We might have someone come in who has no idea why they are here. Remember, we were able to prove that this was a sting operation. So, if you cannot allow such people into your country, you must just turn them away. I’ve directed that they be returned to Pakistan.”
Meanwhile, Police Minister Bheki Cele stated Wednesday that the issue of illegal foreign nationals was still hampering crime-fighting operations. This followed the police’s Operation Shanela in Johannesburg’s CBD, which resulted in the arrest of over 300 persons. Among the items seized were counterfeit goods and pharmaceuticals. The operation began shortly before midday yesterday on busy De Villiers Street. However, cops were left with fewer stalls to investigate because most closed when they heard police were in the neighbourhood.
Three hundred persons were arrested for a variety of offences. According to Ramarumo Bobape of the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority, the majority of drugs on the market are unregistered. “The majority of them are steroids, which are topical medications used to lighten the skin. “They are supposed to be registered, but the majority of them are not,” Bobape explains.
Undocumented foreign nationals were arrested in huge numbers. According to Police Minister Bheki Cele, the fact that so many of them are still trading in illegal items in the city centre is disturbing.
Source:
https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/67-foreign-nationals-nabbed-in-joburg-sting-operation/
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