Johannesburg authorities arrested seven people, including the manager and HR manager of MTN Butchery, during a crackdown on undocumented workers and bylaw violations in the CBD.
Image: X/@PublicSafetyMMC
The manager and HR manager of MTN Butchery store in the Johannesburg CBD have been arrested for allegedly employing five undocumented foreign nationals, some of whom were found hiding on top of fridges during a law enforcement operation.
The arrests come as the City of Johannesburg intensifies efforts to clamp down on illegal structures and bylaw violations in the inner city as part of a broader law enforcement and service delivery campaign.
Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero, accompanied by Members of the Mayoral Committee (MMCs) and city officials, led what the city described as a high-impact service delivery operation on Tuesday in Small Street and at Marble Towers in the CBD.
The operation followed a similar intervention led by Morero last week, during which the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) removed illegal traders and demolished unlawfully constructed structures, including shacks.
Tuesday’s operation included the arrest of undocumented foreign nationals, the disconnection of illegal electricity and water connections, the removal of abandoned vehicles and the clearing of illegal signage and advertising materials.
Chaos erupted at the butchery on Plein and Klein streets near the MTN taxi rank as law enforcement officers raided the premises.
Several workers, believed to be undocumented immigrants, were seen hiding on top of fridges while officers searched the store.
Officials later removed them from their hiding places.
Some of those detained were found working at MTN Butchery during compliance inspections conducted by authorities.
Authorities have arrested seven people, including the manager and HR manager of MTN Butchery, during a crackdown on undocumented workers and bylaw violations in the CBD.
Image: X/@PublicSafetyMMC
The alleged owner of MTN Butchery, was also arrested for non-compliance during ongoing enforcement operations in the Johannesburg CBD.
Undocumented individuals were detained in terms of immigration laws in collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs.
Speaking at the scene, JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Xolani Fihla confirmed the arrests.
“We can confirm that this morning the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) together with Home Affairs immigration officials made several arrests for contravention of the Immigration Act,” Fihla said.
“Five undocumented foreign nationals were arrested at MTN Butchery on Plein and Klein streets next to the MTN taxi rank.
“A further two individuals were also arrested, bringing the total to seven. Those two were the manager and the HR manager of the store and they are being charged with harbouring undocumented foreign nationals.”
Fihla said six additional people had earlier been arrested at a separate location for contravening immigration laws.
“So in total it’s six plus seven,” he said.
“The operation will continue, not only checking immigration status, but also compliance with city bylaws and crime prevention measures to ensure people walking on the streets are safe.”
Several shops along the stretch of road, including many stores on Small Street, remained closed while metro police continued patrolling the area.
Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero led a major law enforcement operation in the CBD on Tuesday, targeting illegal structures, undocumented immigrants and municipal bylaw violations.
Image: X/@PublicSafetyMMC
Meanwhile, judgement in an urgent court application seeking to halt the demolitions is expected on Wednesday.
Tuesday’s operation began at Marble Towers, one of the city’s tallest buildings, where officials identified several bylaw violations.
Earlier, Morero said the building owed the city millions in unpaid municipal services.
“We have established that the building owes us R14 million for water, electricity, rates and taxes. We are acting accordingly. We have already cut off the water meter and are also disconnecting electricity to force the building to comply and pay,” he said.
Morero also raised concerns about ongoing non-compliance with building regulations.
“On our assessment, we have confirmed that structures built there are illegal. However, the owners approached the court and the judge last night requested that we give them an opportunity to present their case at 10am,” he told broadcaster Newzroom Afrika.
He said the city would continue with its operations once the matter had been heard in court.
City of Johannesburg Group Legal representative Segala Malahlela confirmed the city was responding to an urgent court application brought by the building’s owners.
“We made an undertaking with the judge not to demolish anything, but to continue with our other law enforcement work. We will be in court again at around 10am to argue the matter,” he said at the site.
“They do not want us to remove the containers and shacks in and around Marble Towers and the High Court precinct, but the city’s view is that this illegality and unlawfulness must stop immediately.”
The matter, which was expected to be heard in the Johannesburg High Court on Tuesday, was postponed to Wednesday.
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
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