Alpha Ramushwana2 July 2025 | 4:21

Over 40 people believed to be undocumented migrants arrested during Joburg CBD raid

They were nabbed during Acting Mayor Kenny Kunene’s raid on hijacked buildings on Tuesday.

Over 40 people believed to be undocumented migrants arrested during Joburg CBD raid

JMPD officers arresting a man during a Johannesburg CBD sting operation on hijacked buildings, aimed at ensuring by-laws are enforced on 1 July 2025. Picture: Simphiwe Nkosi/EWN

JOHANNESBURG - More than 40 people believed to be undocumented migrants have been arrested in the Johannesburg CBD during a sting operation.

They were nabbed during Acting Mayor Kenny Kunene’s raid on hijacked buildings on Tuesday.

The operation’s aimed at ensuring bylaws are enforced.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Acting Joburg Mayor Kunene leads raid on buildings suspected of harbouring undocumented immigrants

Kunene suspects that a syndicate operating in the CBD is behind the production of fake passports.

He said most of the individuals arrested were in possession of fraudulent IDs, a claim that he said has been verified by Home Affairs officials.

Kunene said the focus is to identify the mastermind behind the alleged syndicate.

“They have passports with the same stamp. The same stamp is on a passport from Tanzania and Zimbabwe. So, it’s clear there’s somebody who has got a fraudulent stamp that they use on the passport of 5)3/3 illegal immigrants.”

Kunene’s operation will continue on Wednesday.