As part of the new ”Operation Fiyela-Reclaim”, a large number of SAPS members, supported by the SANDF and Metro Police, as well as the Department of Home Affairs, raided all the crime hot spots in Boksburg and surrounding areas.
According to the Boksburg SAPS’s Lieut Col Khumbulani Ndaba, the major security operation resulted in 78 foreigners being arrested for being in the country illegally.
Two more people were arrested for possession of suspected stolen goods when officers seized 450 boxes (each containing a 22kg tin of USAID vitamin A and D fortified refined vegetable oil) from a spaza shop located at the corner of Main Reef and Field roads.
The two shop operators, who are also foreigners, were arrested and charged with possession of suspected stolen goods.
Investigations revealed that the recovered boxes of oil were among the R13-million worth of fortified refined vegetable oil that recently went missing from a cargo ship.
In total, 52 shipping containers went missing.
The ship was travelling from the USA to South Africa, transporting the USAID vegetable oil, destined for Malawi, but the goods disappeared before reaching its final intended destination.
It’s unclear if the oil that was recovered was being used in the cooked food sold in the shop, or being sold to unsuspecting residents in the area.
The operation was launched days after xenophobic violence swept through KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng last month and raids are set to continue indefinitely.
* Boksburg police recently arrested a Malawian man after he was found in possession of suspected stolen bags full of rice, in Boksburg.
According to Ndaba, police officers patrolling the area noticed a suspicious-looking van and instructed the driver to pull over.
Upon searching the vehicle they discovered the rice and the suspect failed to prove that he was the rightful owner of the goods, before he was placed under arrest.
The rice was seized.
Operation Fiyela hits Boksburg
