Arrest landlords who house illegal foreign nationals says Faith Mazibuko
Gauteng Community Safety MEC Faith Mazibuko has issued a warning to residents who keep undocumented migrants on their property. She stated that during police raids, both the tenant and the landlord will be arrested.
While speaking to community members in Olievenhoutbosch, Centurion, on Tuesday, Mazibuko emphasised the importance of residents cooperating with the police and ensuring that their tenants have proper documentation.
SowetanLive reports that Mazibuko also encouraged the formation of street committees, which would allow residents to get to know one another and quickly identify any criminal activities in their neighbourhoods.
“If that person [renting in a backyard room] is an undocumented migrant, through our street committees we will go tell the cops that in a particular house there are people with no documents to be in South Africa. Police will go there to arrest the undocumented people and the owner of the house for harbouring illegal immigrants in his or her property.
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“If you keep people in your yard that are undocumented they will give you their wrong identity.
“If your tenant is unable to produce documentation of their stay in South Africa, tell them as much as you need the money, you cannot stay with him,” Mazibuko said.
The community safety department organised the meeting because of serious crime in Olievenhoutbosch.
Residents voiced concerns to MEC Faith Mazibuko and the police, stating that they had filed cases but did not receive any follow-up.
They reported that drugs were being sold to children in schools and expressed frustration that in areas like Nkandla in Olievenhoutbosch, police often did not respond to crime scenes, citing safety concerns.
In response, Mazibuko assured residents that the police have been to Nkandla and pledged that they will increase their presence in the area to curb criminal activity.