Mthatha arrests in Operation Fiela

MORE arrests have been made as Operation Fiela-Reclaim continues to roll out across the Eastern Cape.

Yesterday, police targeted various areas in Mthatha as heavily armed army and police officers blocked off several roads as part of the government’s national crime-combating campaign.

The operation includes several police units, military, Home Affairs, and provincial and municipal traffic departments, as well as the SA Revenue Service.

The nine-hour operation, which started in Mthatha at 1am, led to the arrest of 35 suspected illegal immigrants as well as 39 wanted suspects.

Meanwhile, several foreign nationals arrested in Port Elizabeth last week were released as it was found they were living in South Africa legally.

Among those arrested in Mthatha were seven people wanted for burglary and theft, five for murder, four for serious assault, one for rape, one for hijacking and others for various crimes including possession of and dealing in dagga, pointing a firearm, attemp- ted rape and robbery. Police spokesman Colonel Sibongile Soci said two suspected stolen firearms were confiscated.

“Four hundred and fifty persons were searched in six buildings.

Dagga with an estimated street value of R3 500 was confiscated and three people between the ages of 35 and 50 were arrested for possession.

“Provincial and municipal traffic departments impounded one unroadworthy and unlicensed four-ton truck, and 23 traffic fines to the value of R19 600 were issued.”

Mthatha cluster commander Major-General Johannes Fourie said the areas where the operation would focus were based on leads from intelligence-gathering exercises.

“We will also continue to rid our townships and villages of illegal firearms and drugs.”

Also yesterday, Operation Fiela was rolled out in the Cape Flats suburb of Manenberg in Cape Town, with a particular focus on drugs, illegal firearms and gangsterism.

Earlier this week, it was announced that 3 914 people had been arrested nationally, 1 650 of whom were foreigners suspected of being in South Africa illegally.