Police in Durban conducted a massive raid on illegally occupied buildings in the city’s central business district (CBD) on Tuesday, recovering fake US dollars worth over R4 million, drugs, and other illicit goods.
Story Summary:
- Durban CBD raid uncovers fake US dollars, drugs, and other illicit goods.
- Over 100 undocumented foreign nationals were arrested during the operation.
- The raids targeted hijacked buildings with illegal utility connections and unpaid municipal bills.
Durban CBD raid: Here’s what police recovered
On Tuesday, Durban police launched a significant operation targeting illegally occupied buildings in the city’s CBD, focusing on the Point area.
During the raids, authorities discovered counterfeit US dollar bills amounting to over R4 million, along with a stash of drugs and other illicit goods.
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The police also found evidence of illegal electricity and water connections, further casting a spotlight on the lawlessness within these hijacked properties.
The operation, led by KZN Police Commissioner Lt. General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, resulted in the arrest of over 100 undocumented foreign nationals.
These individuals were apprehended in multiple buildings across the area, where conditions were described as squalid and unsafe.
As the police moved from building to building, they encountered makeshift barricades, hidden drugs, and even attempts by occupants to dispose of evidence—such as a bag containing over $100,000 in fake notes being thrown out of a window as officers approached.
Provincial SAPS Commissioner Mkhwanazi emphasised the severity of the situation, noting that the illegal occupation of these buildings not only harbours criminal activities but also contributes to the municipality’s financial strain due to unpaid bills and illegal utility connections.
He stated:
“There [were] also a lot of other illicit goods that we have found in this place, which will also include the buildings that are illegally occupied, illegal connection of electricity and water, and as you can see, some of the buildings that we are standing next to, the municipality bills that are not being paid, which are owed to the City, are amongst the problems that we are having in this area.”
What happens next for those arrested?
The undocumented foreign nationals arrested during the raids are likely to face deportation after their legal status is reviewed.
Typically, such individuals are detained while their cases are processed, and those found to be in the country illegally are handed over to immigration authorities.
The buildings raided will also undergo further scrutiny, with efforts expected to intensify to reclaim and rehabilitate these properties.
The eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality has already identified 76 buildings in the Durban CBD as derelict, abandoned, hijacked, or overcrowded, and plans are underway to address these issues comprehensively.
The raids are part of a broader initiative by local authorities to restore order in the Durban CBD, a region that has seen a rise in criminal activities due to the proliferation of illegally occupied buildings.
The operation on Tuesday is expected to be the first of many as the municipality, together with law enforcement agencies, works to reclaim the city from criminal elements and ensure safer living conditions for residents.
