Gauteng police have sent out a stern warning to landlords who harbor illegal foreign nationals, to respect the law or face prosecution. This after the man who has been arrested last night, for allegedly raping and murdering a 6-year-old from Orlando in Soweto is confirmed to being in the country illegally.
The suspect, Phethe Sara Simiao a Mozambican National, allegedly lured, raped then murdered the little girl on Monday. He is expected to appear in the Protea Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
Briefing the media in Johannesburg on the matter and other crime fighting operations, SAPS raised concern on the number of crimes in Gauteng that are committed by illegal foreigners and warned communities, not to harbor illegal migrants, as it compromises crime fighting efforts in the province
Gauteng’s SAPS top brass was giving feedback on their anti-crime operations. An update on the culprit who allegedly raped and murdered the six-year-old was top of the agenda.
“I can confirm that this suspect is illegal in SA,” says Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, Gauteng Provincial Police Commissioner.
Police also gave updates on other serious crimes like Spiking, unlicensed firearms and illegal mining.
SAPS confirmed that through operation Vala Umgodi more than 4 700 illegal miners were arrested and over 3 600 were illegal foreigners.
“It’s a big problem, South Africans must stop harbouring/ housing them as tenants,” Mthombeni added.
SAPS also outlined progress made in gang hotspots, like Westbury, Riverlea and Eldorado Park.
They say deployment in gang hotspots are paying off.
More than 1 500 gang related arrests have been made in the province, with serious convictions, of which 69 were in Eldorado Park.
“The anti-gang unit is making a difference, but communities must also help,” Mthombeni elaborates.
Several illegal firearms have also been confiscated in various anti-gang provincial operations.
Vide0: Gauteng Police brief media on successes in stabilising gang-affected areas: Patricia Visagie reports
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