The police in Durban, KwaZulu Natal, have arrested more than 120 foreign nationals for different crimes during a raid on hijacked buildings in the Point Road area this morning. The multidisciplinary operation that involved the police, metro police, correctional services, Home Affairs and office of the Premier started at 4am this morning.

HIJACKED BUILDINGS RAID

KZN Police spokesperson Brigadier Robert Netshiunda said that at least 123 undocumented foreign nationals were arrested during the operation. Netshiunda said the operation was aimed at stamping the authority of the state and raiding hijacked buildings in and around the Durban CBD. "Six buildings were raided and one of them was found to be municipality-owned and illegally occupied and a person who was allegedly collecting rent money from illegal residents of that building was taken in for questioning. During the operation, a total of 117 rounds of ammunition of various calibers of firearms and a large amount of liquor were recovered and seized. Two of the hijacked buildings were disconnected from water and electricity, which were connected illegally," he said. He added that one suspect was also arrested after he was found in possession of cocaine and crystal meth, as well as an undisclosed amount of money. A suspect who was wanted for a rape case in Umlazi was also arrested during the raid.

MILLIONS IN FAKE US DOLLARS NOTES FOUND

KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi said that R4.1 million in fake US dollar notes were discovered in one of the buildings that was raided. "We found over R4 million worth of fake US dollar notes together with drugs. I think there are some deals taking place there. There are a lot of other illicit goods that were found in this place," Mkhwanazi said, adding a suspect threw a bag full of the fake dollars when the police entered the building. Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli said operations like this are meant to tackle criminal activities in the province hotspots, especially in the City of Durban, which is the provincial economic hub. "The KZN government priority is to restore the city of Durban as their economic hub. We are working with the mayor of Durban, the provincial police commissioner and various departments on this venture. Our intention is to sustain this kind of operation. There is going to be a series of raids not just in Durban but across the province,' Ntuli said. The raids are continuing throughout the day.