Johannesburg 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. 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.
Undocumented Workers Found Hiding on Fridges
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. 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.
Crackdown on Undocumented Workers
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. 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. The City of Johannesburg has been working to address issues of undocumented workers and bylaw violations in the inner city, and these arrests are part of a larger effort to ensure compliance with the law.
- 7 people arrested, including manager and HR manager of MTN Butchery
- 5 undocumented foreign nationals found hiding on top of fridges
- Arrests part of larger effort to address undocumented workers and bylaw violations in Johannesburg CBD
The City of Johannesburg has been working to improve service delivery and address issues of crime and grime in the inner city. These efforts include initiatives to improve public safety and cleanliness, as well as efforts to support local businesses and promote economic development.
