The acting station commander of the KwaMashu police station in Durban has allegedly directed police officers at the station to stop arresting illegal immigrants as that is straining their resources.

Colonel BC Silinga allegedly gave the directive that has irked the likes of the March and March Movement via Whatsapp on Friday morning.

According to several sources within the police station, the directive was posted on the Whatsapp group of the visible police division by Silinga.

In the message, Silinga said the arresting of illegal immigrants in the notorious township should be immediately stopped.

“Vispol and Sector Commanders to take note and comply with immediate effect. The arrest of illegal immigrants MUST cease with immediate effect, has this is not one of our monthly targets. Resources must be utilised to work on drug, illegal firearms and dealing in liquor targets.

“Where an illegal immigrant is arrested committing a crime, eg, dealing in liquor etc, the immigrant must be detained and it [is] the responsibility of the arresting officer to get confirmation of the status of the immigration from Home Affairs,” Silinga said in the message.

He added that any planned operation targeting illegal immigrants will be conducted with the assistance of the Department of Home Affairs.

“These operations will be planned by the Vispol Head,as random arrests disturb our daily planned activities.Should a member effect an arrest of alleged Illegal Immigrant, he/she will [be] solely responsible for obtaining a 212 statement from Home affairs,and charge the person. Any deviation from this directive will lead to consequential management being implemented. Kindly ensure that this directive is circulated to all members,” further reads the memo.

When asked about the memo, the spokesperson of the police in the province, Lt Colonel Robert Netshiunda, said official memos in the police service are issued via email, not Whatsapp.