Over 400 foreigners held in SA

via Over 400 foreigners held in SA – New Zimbabwe 08/05/2015

MORE than 400 undocumented foreign nationals were taken in by police during crime prevention raids in buildings throughout the Johannesburg CBD on Friday morning, including the Methodist Church, Gauteng police said.

“We are not raiding the Methodist Church only, it is several places in the Joburg CBD,” spokesperson Katlego Mogale said.

The operation began at 08:00 on Friday and was still continuing.

“Over 400 people were taken to the Johannesburg Central Police station for verification with [the department] of Home Affairs.”

A body was discovered during a raid in one of the dilapidated buildings which were targeted. It appeared the body was dumped there, Mogale said. It was later removed by paramedics.

Several foreign nationals occupying the Methodist Church were also taken in, but not arrested.

“We are not arresting everyone, we are taking them to Johannesburg central police station for verification [and to check criminal history]. Home Affairs will check their status and take it from there,” she said.

Mogale said the operation was being carried out solely by the police.