Over 120 illegal immigrants arrested in Joburg during Operation Shanela
Gauteng police have bene deployed throughout the inner city to fight crime during the festive season.
Law enforcement's Operation Shanela in Johannesburg on Friday, 20 December 2024. Picture: X/@GTP_Traffstats
JOHANNESBURG - Over 120 illegal immigrants have been arrested in Johannesburg.
They were nabbed on Friday morning during the police's Operation Shanela.
Gauteng police have been deployed throughout the inner city to fight crime during the festive season.
On one of Johannesburg's busy roads, more than 100 police officers were checking vehicles for compliance.
A taxi was stopped, and an illegal miner quickly fled the vehicle when asked to show his documents.
However, he was swiftly chased down, caught, and placed in a police van.
Gauteng Police Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni said illegal immigrants were a cause for concern in the inner city of Johannesburg.
"We are having illegal immigrants. We are also focusing on that. As for now, we have arrested 123 illegal immigrants."
During the festive season, the Johannesburg Central and Hillbrow police stations typically record some of the highest crime rates in the area.
Operation Shanela is underway in Houghton, Johannesburg. Gauteng police commissioner Tommy Mthombeni’ teams are beginning to make arrests this morning.
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) December 20, 2024
SAPS will also target Hillbrow later today. @JusstAlpha pic.twitter.com/vhihzsqhdU