MULTI DISCIPLINARY FORCES REMOVE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN MALEOSKOP CAMP
POLOKWANE :The South African Police Service in Groblersdal in collaboration with the Departments of Home Affairs and Social Development conducted an operation aimed at removing illegal immigrants from the former Police Tactical Academy at Maleoskop in Sekhukhune District.
The operation was conducted from Sunday 02 July to Monday 03 July 2023 between 22:00 and 10:00. The forces comprises of the SAPS k9 unit, Visible policing, Detectives, Immigration officers and Social workers.
Total of 291 illegal immigrants were arrested that included Zimbabwean nationals 115 males, 55 females with 17 children, Mozambican nationals 62 males, 51 females with 15 children and were all deported to their respective countries as per 48 hour activation plan.
Amongst them 7 foreign nationals were released under Section 49(1)(a) of immigration act as follows; 4 x DRC nationals, 2 x Mozambican nationals and 1x Eritrean national.
In the tour of the operation 6x dagga plants were found abondoned and they were subsequently confiscated for disposal.
In addition to this two cases of Human trafficking were opened against a Congolese national male suspect for allegedly trafficking two 16-year-old females from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Provincial Commissioner of South African Police Service Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe applauded the collaborative efforts by the teams involved in the Operation.
The suspect is expected to appear before Groblersdal Magistrate’s Court in the week facing charges of human trafficking and contravention of immigration act.
