Operation Vala Umgodi nets 268 illegal foreigners in Newcastle

Media Statement
South African Police Service
Office of the Provincial Commissioner KwaZulu-Natal
 

DURBAN – Police in KwaZulu-Natal under the Operation Vala Umgodi have arrested 268 illegal foreigners at an industrial site in Newcastle in the early hours of Saturday, 23 November 2024.

Intelligence had collected information about illegal immigrants who were employed at two warehouses which manufacture fabric and clothing items on Gutenburg Street, and with the court having granted a search warrant, an operation was executed from Friday night through to the early hours of Saturday.

During the operation, two foreign nationals of Asian origin were found to have contravened Section 38 of the Immigration Act by employing illegal foreigners in their two warehouses.

The two warehouse owners, aged 40 and 46 years old, were released on R1000 bail each after arrangements were made with the court, following positive verification of their physical addresses and their status in the country.

The 268 illegal immigrants, whose ages range between 18 and 51 years old were arrested and after processing by immigration officers from the Department of Home Affairs, they will be brought before the Newcastle Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 25 November 2024.
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