MBOMBELA – More than 260 illegal immigrants were arrested in different parts of Mpumalanga during the Operation Fiela, which is a joint operation between members of the SAPS, the defence, immigration and customs officials.
“Undocumented persons will be taken to the Lindela Home Affairs Centre where they will be deported accordingly to their countries of origin,” explained Brig Selvy Mohlala, spokesperson for the provincial police.
The SAPS and the army raided homes in crime hot spots including KwaMhlanga, Tonga, Secunda, Elukwatini, Middelburg, Pienaar and Piet Retief neighbouring areas searching for guns and drugs.
According to Mohlala, 269 unlawful immigrants were arrested, during the operation which started on April 27, while 28 suspects were arrested for possession of drugs, 17 for contravening with the Liquor Acts, 10 for possession of stolen property, eight for illegal selling of liquor and five for possession of counterfeit goods.
“Only three suspects were arrested for dealing in drugs, two for drunken driving, and one suspect was arrested for illegal possession of firearm, one for illegal possession of ammunition, one for possession of gold-bearing material, one for possession of stolen property, one for hunting with snares, another one for possession of dangerous weapon and one for assault with the intention of causing grievous bodily harm,” he said.
The operation also saw the confiscating of various illegal and stolen goods including
15 kilograms of dagga, six dagga plants, 1 005 cartons of counterfeit cigarettes,
500 DVD sets, a 9 millimetre pistol, 12 ammunitions, two vehicles, 539 skin-lightening creams, 166 bottles of 750 millilitre beer, four shovels, two pickaxes, four mattresses, a knife, and a washing basket.
Mohlala said recovered items would be stored at the police station for identification by their rigtful owners.
