About 30 migrants were arrested in a multi-disciplinary raid in Pietermaritzburg on Thursday, including one man who was found with drugs.
Police spokesperson Col Robert Netshiunda said police received calls about foreigners trading on streets while others were employed by businesses in the provincial capital.
He said the crackdown on illegal foreigners, which included security companies, was a campaign to clean the streets and check for drugs and sales of second-hand goods which could be crime-related.
“We have arrested 30 people who are in the country illegally. They will be verified by home affairs, and our labour colleagues are doing inspections at shops where they are employed.”
Netshiunda said one of the illegal foreigners was arrested with drugs, and the quantity would determine whether he faces a charge of dealing or possession.
He said while the focus of the raid was on illegal foreigners, police were also on the lookout for their alleged involvement in other crimes.
Netshiunda said police were closing in on suspects in connection with murders in Pietermaritzburg.
On Wednesday police detained about 80 people for questioning after an anti-illegal foreigners march turned violent, leaving at least three foreigners injured.
Netshiunda said people were marching in Kranskop when the march became violent and shops were looted.
He said police investigations are continuing and they will make arrests in due course.
TimesLIVE
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