Reitz:Twenty-four undocumented individuals were arrested in Reitz, located in the Free State, during a joint crime prevention operation conducted early Thursday morning.
According to South African Government News Agency, the operation was carried out by the South African Police Service (SAPS) in collaboration with the Nketoana Local Municipality and the Department of Home Affairs Immigration Unit. The arrested individuals include five females and 15 males from Malawi, as well as four males from Lesotho.
The initiative focused on tackling contact and property-related crimes identified as priority concerns in the Reitz policing precinct during the previous quarter. These crimes included assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, murder, residential and business burglaries, damage to essential infrastructure, theft of copper cables, and stock theft.
The SAPS emphasized that the operation forms part of proactive measures to address these challenges and prevent further criminal activities. The police remain committed to collaborating with relevant stakeholders to enhance community safety and combat crime effectively.