Army sent into Korsten
Security forces claim anti-crime swoop as 76 suspected illegal immigrants held
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HUMAN rights activists have accused the government of using apartheid tactics to target immigrants after the army was “secretly” sent into Korsten yesterday. The massive joint operation by police, customs, SA Revenue Services, Home Affairs and the traffic and fire departments in Port Elizabeth saw about 300 members of the various security forces on the streets, stopping cars and pedestrians, and raiding shops.
The streets off Durban Road were blocked off by heavily armed soldiers so no one could leave.
“We have orders, no one in or out,” one soldier said.
Police spokesman Colonel Sibongile Soci said that by eight last night, 76 suspected illegal immigrants had been arrested.
In addition, 140 vehicles and 375 people were searched during the operation.
“The fire department and department of human settlements were also part of the operation and served notices for the contravention of various laws and regulations,” she said.
Provincial and municipal traffic department officials impounded 18 vehicles while police recovered two vehicles that were believed to be stolen.
The media were escorted out of the area by police who said the operation, dubbed Operation Fiela-Reclaim, was meant to be “secret” and only security personnel were allowed in.
“This is a police operation and the media are not allowed to see what is happening,” police spokesman Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said.
Soci failed to provide reasons as to why the media were banned from the operation.
While government officials insist the operation is an anti-crime initiative and not aimed at immigrants, human rights activists described that explanation as a smokescreen.
“The state is claiming this is a crime-combating operation, however they are arresting foreigners all over the country and keeping them in protection camps,” Lawyers for Human Rights coordinator David Cote said.
“There are several violations we have already picked up and the impression I get is that the police and military are targeting foreigners.”
Puzzled Korsten residents questioned why the same resources were not used to fight gangsterism in the northern areas.
Members of the joint operation gathered at a mobile command centre in Drew Street at about 11am.
A helicopter hovered overhead as soldiers and police marched down Durban Road, stopping people and cars and raiding shops.
Several foreign shop owners closed their doors, and foreigners were marched one by one to the mobile joint operations centre where a Home Affairs official assessed their immigration status. “I don’t understand what is happening. “They are harassing us,” Somali Ali Abdul Hussain, 29, shouted.
Another Somali, Abdi Abdul Adam, who has lived in South Africa for 10 years, said: “The army is here and I think they are here to attack us foreigners.
“The army and police came into my flat and wanted to see my documents for being in the country.
“They asked if I had any guns, while searching my flat.
“I understand what they are doing and why. However, it could be done a lot more tactfully than barging into an area and victimising foreigners.”
The operation was coordinated by police provincial operations commander Major-General Zamu- thonga Mki, who could not be reached for comment. One official said Durban Road had been identified as a “high immigrant zone”.
The operation stemmed from an order issued by the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure, instructing all the provinces to clamp down on illegal foreigners.
Last week, police said 800 undocumented immigrants and criminals had been arrested countrywide since the beginning of the month.
In yesterday’s operation, traffic officers stopped and towed away several vehicles while police of- ficers from the vehicle theft section assessed whether any had been reported stolen. Fire Department officials went from building to building, carrying out inspections, while police and customs officials searched for weapons and counterfeit goods.
Some residents outside the cordoned-off area said they were encouraged by the operation as it had netted criminals as well.
“It does seem as if they are harassing Somali nationals but, at the same time, it ensures that the real criminals are caught,” a street vendor said.
Ward councillor Isaac Adams said although he supported such clampdowns, the media should be able to access the area to oversee the operation.
Cote said: “This whole operation is problematic and dangerous. The state is claiming this is a crime-combating operation, but they are arresting foreigners all over the country and keeping them in protection camps.
“There are several violations we have already picked up and the impression I get is that the police and military are targeting foreigners.”
He said there was a protection camp in Johannesburg, with 233 foreigners being held there and Lawyers for Human Rights had to get a court order to speak to them.
Earlier this week, the high court in Johannesburg ordered a twoweek halt to the deportation of foreign nationals to allow Cote’s team to consult with those arrested.
Refugee Rights Centre director Linton Harmse said the organisation was investigating the arrest of 92 foreigners in East London last week.
“It appears that immigration officials and police have overstepped their mark and our team of attorneys are getting to the bottom of this,” he said.
“There are a whole range of humans rights that have been violated.”
Harmse said: “This is reminiscent of apartheid times. It is clearly a step backwards for this country.
“We have cases where officials are even detaining foreigners with legal permits for no reason whatsoever. The army and police should be deployed to gang areas that are causing havoc” Harmse said.
Police refused to say why Durban Road was selected and not the gang-plagued areas.
‘ This is a police operation and media are not allowed to see what is happening