Joburg Public Safety Department arrests over 200 undocumented foreign nationals in Hillbrow

JOHANNESBURG - Over 200 undocumented foreign nationals have been arrested in Hillbrow during a crime clean-up operation conducted by the Joburg Public Safety Department.

MMC for Public Safety Mgcini Tshakwu is leading the efforts on Wednesday with a special focus on undocumented foreign nationals.

Police have confiscated a range of illegal goods during the operation, with assistance from Home Affairs officials and private security.

The operation is underway between Quartz, Esselen, and Kotze Streets on Wednesday afternoon.

Some of the items recovered during the raids include drugs and ingredients to manufacture fake alcohol.

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Among those arrested is an alleged drug dealer operating on Esselen Street.

The man who cannot be identified is a foreign national alleged to be selling drugs including rock, marijuana and weed.

He was identified by crime intelligence officials who bought drugs from him last night during an investigation into the city’s drug market.

This crime intelligence official says he was able to find the suspect after spending time in the city.

"I come to the area we have identified, I spend a night with them, and buy the drugs. I give them money while taking pictures and collect intel so that when I come back I have confirmed everything."

The Joburg Department of Public Safety says it will be conducting more drug raids following intel from crime intelligence.