Police operation in Bree Street arrests undocumented workers at construction site
Undocumented migrants being escorted to awaiting police vehicles after being taken from a construction site of a planned 42 storey building in Bree Street, Cape Town.
Image: Tracy-Lynn Ruiters
Dramatic scenes are unfolding in Bree street where members of the South African Police Service, Metro Police and officials from Home Affairs have stopped construction of a 42 storey hotel, arresting foreign nationals who are currently working on the site without documents.
According to some of the workers, this is not the first time their colleagues have been warned against working on site without documentation.Some of the foreign nationals are even lacking identification. While some do not have work permits.
Officers are currently walking through the whole site climbing up scaffolding and checking shafts, cranes and in the building while security are on the roof of neighbouring buildings advising where some of the workers are hiding away.
Police spokesperson Wesley Twigg confirmed that a joint operation is currently underway in Cape Town, once concluded more information will be made available.