27 February 2010, 17:52
By Mogomotsi Magome

More than 100 illegal foreigners were arrested during an early morning police raid at the Schubart Park flats on Friday.

About 400 Tshwane Metro Police, SAPS and Home Affairs immigration officers descended on the controversial block of flats in a crime-combating operation.

Unsuspecting residents were surprised by the presence of the police at the flats just after midnight but there was no major resistance.

Police went on every floor of the three blocks checking for illegal immigrants, stolen goods, weapons and people with outstanding warrants of arrests.

Some of the foreigners were found sleeping in little compartments in the basement of the building, where some claimed they were paying about R120 monthly rent to one of the Schubart Park residents.

Women and children also live in these compartments, which were previously used as storage rooms.

According to police spokeswoman Captain Tessa Jansen, four people were arrested for being in possession of suspected stolen property worth R18 000.

Police also recovered six cellphones with several batteries and various SIM cards, 155 fake DVDs and 2 DVD players with surround speakers. They also found 150 packets of fake cigarettes, a fridge, a television set, a microwave, a heater and several computer-related items.

A firearm recovered during the raids was later returned to the owner after he produced a licence.

Police arrested 108 illegal immigrants and also recovered three blank cheques in one of the units they searched.

Jansen said even though they had not found as many items as they had anticipated, they regarded the operation as a success.

"We anticipated more than this but we are pleased that we managed to go through the building and recover what we did.

"This operation was necessary because we are aware that there are criminal activities taking place there. The operation had nothing to do with issues of evictions between the residents and the (Tshwane) Metro Council," said Jansen.

Most of the residents welcomed the raid, saying it helped to eradicate crime at the block of flats as many people were taking advantage of the fact that it was not properly managed.
• This article was originally published on page 3 of The Pretoria News on February 27, 2010