Toilets, showers for 85 arrested illegal foreign nationals

Toilets, movable showers and sanitation have been allegedly promised to the 85 foreign nationals arrested for contravening the Immigration Act on Wednesday.

This comes after Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula was reported to have assessed the holding cells at the Mbabane Police Station, following complaints from the suspects over sanitation.

The news was revealed by the Crown and Desk Officer Inspector Akhona Dludlu at the Mbabane Magistrate’s Court where the suspects appeared.

During proceedings, concerns were raised regarding the conditions at the Mbabane Police Station where the accused persons are currently being held.

The suspects complained about a lack of proper sanitation facilities at the police station, particularly the unavailability of toilets and showers.

Defence attorney Nqobile Muringani informed the court that the ministry of health should be requested to assess the conditions at the police station to ensure that the health of the accused persons was not compromised.

He submitted that the police station needed to be assessed to determine whether it was suitable to house such a large number of detainees.

Responding to concerns raised by the defence, the Crown informed the court that Minister Matsebula had already visited the Mbabane Police Station to assess the conditions of the holding cells.

The Crown submitted that the minister had acknowledged the sanitation challenges and had promised that the matter would be addressed, including the provision of showers and improved sanitation facilities.

Meanwhile Inspector Dludlu also addressed the court regarding the matter. “We cannot run away from the truth. The minister of health came to assess the situation and they are working on fixing the issues,” the officer said.

The court emphasised the importance of ensuring that the accused persons were treated with dignity while in custody.

Principal Magistrate Nhlabatsi ordered that sanitation facilities be provided to the detainees even if it meant installing temporary or movable facilities at the police station.

“It is the request of this court that they be provided with sanitation and showers because they also have rights and their dignity needs to be protected,” the magistrate stated.

The accused persons include nationals from China, Brazil, Indonesia, Taiwan and Cambodia and they appeared before Principal Magistrate Fikile Nhlabatsi facing two counts related to unlawful entry and illegal employment in the country.

According to the charge sheet, the accused persons were allegedly found at one of the hotels in Mbabane on March 11.

The suspects were alleged to have wrongfully and unlawfully entered and remained in the country without possessing valid permits authorising them to do so.

On the second count the accused were charged for not being holders of valid permits allowing them to work in the country.

Additional Context

Immigration enforcement operations have intensified in recent months as authorities seek to address cases of unlawful entry and employment. Courts often emphasise that while suspects may face immigration-related charges, they are still entitled to humane treatment and basic rights while in detention.