Zimbabweans, Malawians arrested as Joburg raid migrants

Johannesburg authorities say they detained more than a dozen suspected undocumented foreign nationals during a multi-agency operation targeting allegedly illegally occupied properties in the city's suburbs.

Speaking during an inspection outside a property at 41B Adrien Street, Johannesburg Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Transport Kenny Kunene said the operation involved several municipal departments and law enforcement agencies.

These included City Power, Johannesburg Water, the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department's Tactical Response Unit, the Johannesburg Roads Agency and officials from the city's transport department.

Kunene described the property as being in a poor condition and said officials identified four suspected undocumented foreign nationals during the initial inspection.

According to Kunene, some of those detained were allegedly found in possession of fraudulent documents, while others were believed to have overstayed their permits.

He said the individuals, whom he identified as being from Malawi and Zimbabwe, were taken by officials from the Department of Home Affairs to Sandton Police Station for processing.

Kunene said one of the cases involved a woman travelling with a baby and that social development officials had been called in to provide assistance.

Authorities are also investigating the ownership of the property following complaints from residents that it may have been unlawfully occupied.

Kunene said officials had obtained the registered owner's contact details and would establish whether any legal action was required.

He added that if investigations showed the owner had knowingly accommodated undocumented immigrants, criminal charges could be considered.

At a second property inspected during the operation, Kunene said officials encountered a further eight or nine suspected undocumented immigrants, bringing the total number of people detained or processed during the operation to between 12 and 13.

Kunene said residents had repeatedly complained about alleged illegal occupation of properties in Adrien Street, where he previously lived.

He further alleged that several houses in the area had been vandalised and linked the incidents to undocumented migrants occupying some of the properties. Those allegations have not been independently verified.

According to Kunene, residents also believe that some criminal suspects use illegally occupied houses as hideouts after committing offences in surrounding neighbourhoods.

He further expressed concern about the impact of alleged illegal occupation on property values, municipal infrastructure and urban management, citing overcrowding, unauthorised building alterations and illegal utility connections.

Kunene said the City of Johannesburg would continue conducting similar compliance operations as part of broader efforts to address illegal occupation, by-law violations and damage to municipal infrastructure across the city.