Question NW1481 to the Minister of Home Affairs
13 August 2020 - NW1481
Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
What number of operations was his department involved in along the international borders of the Republic in the last quarter of the 2019-20 financial year and the first quarter of the 2020-21 financial year to combat (a) stock theft, (b) the smuggling of (i) drugs and (ii) cigarettes and (c) irregular immigration?
Reply:
Combating stock theft, drugs and cigarettes smuggling does not fall under the mandate of Home Affairs. Immigration operations to combat irregular migration are carried out nationally and this includes areas near the border environment. In the last Quarter of 2019-20 financial year, 55 operations / inspections were initiated by the department and a total number of 73 illegal foreigners were arrested. In addition to that, a number of 9 528 illegal foreigners were arrested in operations initiated jointly with other law enforcement stakeholders. The first quarter of the 2020-21 financial year fall within the period of lockdown. Operations were conducted in support of other law enforcement and a total number of 3 482 Illegal foreigners were arrested.
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