illegal immigrants Pietermaritzburg

Police arrested 168 people for various crimes in Pietermaritzburg. Image: SAPS.

165 illegal immigrants arrested for various crimes in PMB

At least 165 illegal immigrants were arrested in a landfill site in Pietermaritzburg for alleged assaults and murders in the area.

illegal immigrants Pietermaritzburg

Police arrested 168 people for various crimes in Pietermaritzburg. Image: SAPS.

At least 165 illegal immigrants were arrested at a Pietermaritzburg landfill site in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) following reports of rampant criminality.

The undocumented people were arrested during a multi-disciplinary operation held at Alexandra Road in Pietermaritzburg.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS NABBED IN PIETERMARITZBURG

The multidisciplinary team reportedly worked tirelessly at the landfill site on New England Road where it is alleged that waste pickers were engaged in criminal activity. Police received reports that conflict amongst waste pickers had resulted in assaults as well as murders.

KZN police spokesperson, Brigadier Jay Naicker said the team arrested 168 people which included 165 illegal immigrants.

Naicker said the suspects were arrested for contravention of the Immigration Act, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition as well as possession of drugs.

“Police officers also seized two pistols, ammunition and drugs during the operation. The suspects who are aged between 18 and 55 appeared before the Pietermaritzburg Magistrates Court on Friday, 26 August.”

illegal immigrants Pietermaritzburg
Some of the items seized during the multidisciplinary operation in Pietermaritzburg. Image: SAPS.

KZN Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi commended the initiative by police at Umgungundlovu and other role players to deal with rising crime.

Mkhwanazi said the rising crime is exacerbated by the growing number of illegal immigrants. He further called for similar operations in other districts to deal decisively with their crime hotspots.

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