KEY POINTS
- Over 200 undocumented foreign nationals were arrested in Hillbrow during a crime clean-up operation targeting drug trafficking and illegal alcohol production.
- Authorities confiscated drugs and counterfeit alcohol ingredients, with one alleged drug dealer arrested following an undercover operation by crime intelligence officials.
- The Johannesburg Public Safety Department plans further raids, emphasizing the need for community involvement and stronger immigration controls to address crime in the city.
The Johannesburg Public Safety Department, led by MMC for Public Safety Mgcini Tshakwu, has arrested over 200 undocumented foreign nationals during a major crime clean-up operation in Hillbrow.
The operation, conducted on Wednesday, focused on curbing illegal activities, including drug trafficking and the production of counterfeit alcohol, with assistance from Home Affairs officials and private security to nab the foreign nationals.
According to the EWN, the raids on the foreign nationals took place between Quartz, Esselen, and Kotze Streets, where authorities confiscated a range of illegal goods, including drugs and ingredients used to manufacture fake alcohol.
Among those arrested in the foreign nationals was an alleged drug dealer operating on Esselen Street, identified by crime intelligence officials after an undercover operation. “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,” said the official.
Targeting drug networks and illegal operations
The alleged drug dealer, a foreign national, was found selling substances such as rock, marijuana, and weed. His arrest is part of a broader effort to dismantle drug networks in Hillbrow, a neighborhood long plagued by crime and illegal activities.
The Joburg Department of Public Safety has vowed to continue its crackdown, using intelligence gathered during operations to target additional hotspots.
The operation also uncovered ingredients used to produce counterfeit alcohol, highlighting the dangers posed by unregulated and illegal manufacturing. Authorities have warned that such products not only fuel crime but also pose serious health risks to consumers. “The operation is part of our ongoing efforts to make Johannesburg safer and to address the root causes of crime in areas like Hillbrow,” said Tshakwu.
The arrests have reignited debates about immigration and crime control in South Africa. Critics argue that undocumented foreign nationals often fall victim to exploitation by criminal networks, while others call for stricter border controls and immigration policies. Home Affairs officials have emphasized the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies to address these challenges effectively.
The Johannesburg Public Safety Department has pledged to intensify its efforts, with more raids planned in the coming weeks. “We will not rest until we have rooted out crime and illegal activities in our city,” Tshakwu stated. The department has also urged residents to report suspicious activities, emphasizing the role of community involvement in combating crime.
