Police have launched a massive crackdown, code named "Operation Tornado", in Musina, which saw a total of 289 illegal immigrants from Zimbabwe being netted during last weekend.

Police spokesman for Vhembe District Supt Ailwei Mushavhanamadi said that police arrested 15 traffic offenders, 18 public drinkers, one suspect was found in possession of dagga and seven other suspects had allegedly assisted illegal immigrants to enter into South Africa. He said that they also confiscated a 9mm pistol from one of the suspects.

The suspects were nabbed in dawn raids between Saturday and Sunday.

Mushavhanamadi said that police raided Matswale, Nancefield, Section 7 and Rwanda suburbs in Musina.

The operation comprised combined police forces from the Crime Prevention Unit, Crime Combating Unit, Dog Unit and the Crime Intelligence Unit from Mopani, Capricorn and Waterberg in Vhembe district.

He added that the ongoing operation was aimed at flushing out criminals operating in the border town of Musina, where crime is reported to be on the increase due to a huge influx of illegal immigrants from the neighbouring Zimbabwe. Illegal immigrants are allegedly fuelling crime in Musina.