Over 90 Undocumented Foreign Nationals Found Hiding in Houghton Estate House
More than 90 undocumented foreign nationals were discovered hiding at a private residence in the upmarket suburb of Houghton Estate, Johannesburg, during a late-night crime-fighting operation on Wednesday, 18 June 2025.
The operation was led by the City of Johannesburg’s MMC for Public Safety, Dr Mgcini Tshwaku.
Hidden in Ceilings, Behind Curtains and Under Beds
Speaking after the raid, Dr Tshwaku said officials were shocked by the scale of illegal occupancy at the residence.
“Over 90 undocumented foreign nationals were hiding inside. They were found under beds, in ceilings, and behind curtains,” Tshwaku explained.
According to him, the property initially appeared to be occupied by a single woman who claimed to be maintaining the house on behalf of the owner. However, further inspection revealed dozens of people crammed into the house under suspicious conditions.
“The yard was overgrown and unkempt, which showed the house was being used in secret,” he added.
Rent Paid to Another Undocumented Foreigner Linked to Third-Party Figure
Tshwaku revealed that the individuals found at the residence were paying rent to another undocumented foreign national, who is allegedly reporting to a third-party figure, said to be a white male.
He described the setup as a “coordinated illegal rental operation”, hinting at possible exploitation and further criminal investigations.
Arrests, Document Verification, and Utility Disconnection
According to Kaya959, those without proper documentation were immediately arrested, while individuals who presented passports or asylum papers are currently undergoing verification. Tshwaku noted that several documents appeared newly issued and are being scrutinized for authenticity.
Given the scale and severity of the illegal occupation, Johannesburg Water and City Power have been notified. Both entities are scheduled to disconnect utility services to the property on Friday morning.