Riyaz Patel
Seven Johannesburg police officers have been arrested by colleagues after they were caught allegedly trying to ‘sell’ confiscated counterfeit goods back to illegal traders.
Millions of rands of counterfeit goods were confiscated and more than 600 foreigners were detained Wednesday after police carried out a second blitz in the Johannesburg CBD, days after police came under attack in a similar raid.
Police also seized firearms, stolen vehicles and vehicles loaded with counterfeit goods.
In a joint statement from the offices of the Minister of Police, Gauteng Police Commissioner and Gauteng Premier, it also emerged that two Tactical Response Team members were arrested after police investigated a possible “leak of information” about the planned operation in the Johannesburg CBD.
“The two were linked through investigation and an eyewitness account. Police believe the loot found in the 46 vehicles in the basement parking at Lister Building could be the cargo that was removed the night before after the illegal traders had received a tip-off,” the statement read.
Briefing the media after the raids, Gauteng Premier David Makhura alluded to a “criminal syndicate” that “mobilised” and “sent out information” to those who attacked police during their ill-fated raid last week.
The news came as the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, Advocate Bongani Bongo, welcomed the arrest of illegal immigrants during Wednesday’s multi-organisation raid in the Johannesburg CBD.
“It must remain clear that while legal and developmental immigration is encouraged and can be beneficial to the growth prospects of the country, we remain steadfast that illegal immigration must be discouraged at all times,” Adv. Bongo emphasised.
The committee continues to emphasise the need for the Department of Home Affairs to strengthen its application processes to remove blockages for asylum seekers and critical skills immigrants. Furthermore, the committee has emphasised the need to fight corruption to ensure the credibility of the department’s system and documentation.
The Committee has called for the processing of the arrested illegal immigrants and speedy deportation.
Meanwhile, the Parliamentary committee has received correspondence from the Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, saying it will discuss the correspondence and then make a decision on it.
