Mapaballo Borotho

More than 90 undocumented foreign nationals were found hiding at a private residence in Houghton Estate on Wednesday evening, 18 June 2025.
This comes after the MMC for Public Safety in Johannesburg, Dr Mgcini Tshwaku led a crime-fighting operation in the area.
Tshwaku says the 90 undocumented foreign nationals were found to be paying rent to another undocumented foreign national, who in turn reports to a third-party figure, who’s allegedly a white male.
According to Tshwaku, initial observations noted a single female occupant who attempted to present the residence as singly occupied, claiming to be under instruction from the property owner to maintain and watch over the house.
“Over 90 undocumented foreign nationals were hiding inside. They were found under beds, in ceilings, and behind curtains. The yard was also overgrown and unkept, which showed the house was being used in secret.
“A significant number presented either newly issued foreign passports or asylum documents, some of which are currently under verification for authenticity,” said Tshwaku.
Those without documents were arrested, and those with documents are being checked by Immigration.
Due to the scale and severity of the illegal occupation, City Power and Johannesburg Water were notified, and both institutions scheduled to disconnect all utility services to the property on Friday Morning.
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