A total of 32 undocumented people were arrested in the early hours of Tuesday morning following a crime prevention operation at two hijacked properties in Morningside Manor, Sandton, Joburg Mayor Herman Mashaba said.
Mashaba said two properties were targeted including No 18 Gary Avenue where 11 undocumented people were arrested and that 21 were arrested at 122 Kelvin Drive.
The suspects are expected make a court appearance on Wednesday after immigration officers from the Department of Home Affairs had processed them to ascertain relevant information.
The arrests were made during an operation led by the City’s group forensic and investigation services unit in conjunction with the South African Police Service (SAPS), Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), Department of Home Affairs and the local residents association.
“It is essential that we bring back the rule of law in our City and take it back from the criminal elements such as landlords who take advantage of desperate people and house them under deplorable conditions.
“About 832 properties are confirmed to be hijacked in Johannesburg. 34 properties that were previously in the hands of hijackers have been handed back to the rightful owners. The Residents Association has undertaken to provide security to both properties. I want to see rundown buildings turned into quality low-cost housing for our residents and affordable rental spaces for small businesses.”
-African News Agency (ANA)
