Durban Police Crackdown: 123 Undocumented Foreign Nationals Arrested, R4.1 Million in Counterfeit Currency Seized

In a significant operation led by Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and the KwaZulu-Natal police, over 123 undocumented foreign nationals were apprehended in Durban on Tuesday. The operation, which targeted hijacked buildings, illegal firearms, and undocumented individuals, also led to the seizure of 117 rounds of ammunition and counterfeit US dollars worth approximately R4.1 million.

Six buildings were raided as part of this large-scale effort to reclaim the city from illegal activities. The operation is a key component of a broader strategy aimed at rejuvenating Durban and making it more appealing to investors. According to eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba, 76 buildings have been identified as derelict, some of which are either hijacked, abandoned, or used for illegal purposes. Xaba urged the Department of Public Works to either renovate these buildings or return them to the municipality for better use.

“We have such problems because there are issues with maintenance and security. If we deal with that, the problem would be resolved,” Xaba stated, emphasizing the need for prompt action.

On Monday, Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson, alongside Xaba, announced the formation of a task team dedicated to addressing the issue of problem buildings. KZN Premier Thami Ntuli, who joined the raid, stressed that this operation is just the beginning. “We want to stop the illegal occupation of buildings and rejuvenate them to attract investors, which in turn will uplift our economy,” Ntuli said, highlighting the economic motivations behind the crackdown.

The undocumented foreign nationals arrested during the operation are slated for deportation, with the involvement of the Department of Home Affairs.

Eunice Dube, a supervisor at one of the raided buildings, the St Moritz in Point, Durban, lamented the deterioration of the property over the years. “This building was once one of the most beautiful, but with the condition it is in now, I am ashamed to tell people that I work here,” Dube shared, illustrating the decline in property management and the resulting illegal activities.

KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda revealed that one of the six raided buildings was owned by the municipality, yet an illegal occupant had been collecting rent from tenants. In addition to the ammunition and counterfeit currency, large amounts of liquor were also seized during the raids. Two of the hijacked buildings had their water and electricity disconnected due to illegal connections.

Further highlighting the scope of the operation, one suspect was arrested for possession of cocaine, crystal meth, and an undisclosed amount of money.

Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi acknowledged the challenges faced in conducting such operations, citing the limited availability of facilities to house those arrested. “The biggest problem we face regarding undocumented persons is the lack of sufficient detention space. Detaining undocumented people without a proper place to keep them raises ethical and logistical concerns,” Mkhwanazi explained.

He added that while the police temporarily hold undocumented individuals at stations, it is ultimately the responsibility of the Department of Home Affairs to transfer them to suitable detention facilities before deportation.

On the issue of firearms recovered during the operation, Mkhwanazi expressed concern over their storage, indicating that discussions had been held with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the judiciary to centralize the storage of seized firearms, away from police stations, to ensure better security.