Police in South Africa’s (SA) eastern Mpumalanga province have arrested five undocumented foreign nationals during a co-ordinated cross-border enforcement operation targeting illegal mining and counterfeit goods trading.
The joint initiative, conducted alongside officials from SA Revenue Service customs, led to the arrest of three Mozambican and two Ethiopian citizens for immigration violations.
Police Spokesperson Captain Jabu Ndubane confirmed that officers confiscated 910 bags of suspected illegal coal worth over $14 000, together with more than 18 000 counterfeit items during raids across local commercial centers.
The operation targeted 56 retail outlets in Tonga and Block B within the Nkomazi Local Municipality, resulting in the immediate closure of two non-compliant businesses. Police authorities stated that similar multi-agency enforcement sweeps will continue across border towns to curb illicit trade and reinforce immigration standards.
–ChannelAfrica–
