KZN police arrest over 260 illegal immigrants in Newcastle

DURBAN - KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) police have arrested 268 illegal immigrants in Newcastle on Saturday.  

Authorities raided two textile warehouses on Gutenberg Street on Friday night, continuing their search into the early hours of Saturday morning.  

Spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said police arrested two warehouse owners and charged them with contravening the Immigration Act.  

“During the operation, two foreign nationals of Asian origin were found to have contravened Section 38 of the Immigration Act by employing illegal foreigners in their two warehouses.”  

Netshiunda said the duo had been released on R1,000 bail each after their immigration status and physical address had been verified.  

He added that the 268 illegal immigrants - whose ages range between 18 and 51 years old would be processed by the Home Affairs Department's immigration officers before appearing before the Newcastle Magistrates Court on Monday.