More than 20 undocumented foreign nationals have been arrested and five businesses shut down following a major law enforcement operation in the Durban city centre amid growing tensions around illegal immigration in KwaZulu-Natal.
The joint operation was conducted on Monday along Dr Pixley kaSeme Street and Anton Lembede Street, targeting businesses suspected of operating unlawfully.
Authorities said 32 individuals were detained for immigration verification, with 23 later confirmed to be in the country illegally.
Those arrested, aged between 21 and 54, include nationals from Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Tanzania and China.
Five retail outlets were also closed for allegedly failing to comply with municipal by-laws and other legislation.
Boysie Zungu said authorities were responding to growing concerns over the increase in illegal retail operations and criminal activity in Durban’s CBD.
Ward 32 councillor Protas Mngonyama, who participated in the operation, said efforts to restore order and improve safety in the inner city would continue.
The operation follows heightened tensions in Durban after hundreds of foreign nationals sought refuge at the Diakonia Centre last week, claiming they feared violence and intimidation.
The group was later transported to Department of Home Affairs offices for immigration verification.
On Monday, the South African Human Rights Commission and ministers from the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster also held urgent meetings on immigration-related tensions.
Government announced the formation of a task team made up of deputy ministers to work with law enforcement agencies on the issue.
Meanwhile, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, leader of the March and March movement, warned of a possible national shutdown if undocumented foreign nationals are not removed from the country by the end of June.