Operation Fiela is conducted in an unlawful and unconstitutional way: Human Rights lawyers

Lawyers for Human Rights are planning to challenge Operation Fiela in court. Human Rights lawyers say the way the operation is conducted across the country is unlawful and unconstitutional.

L.H.R’s David Cote says the operation is a deliberate mis-application of the South African Police Service Act. Operation Fiela, began two months ago, following the xenophobic violence in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.

Human Rights Lawyers say on the 8th of May 2015, a raid took place in the Johannesburg city centre which saw foreign nationals targeted and arrested in their homes in the early hours of the morning.

The police, the military and immigration officers from the Department of Home Affairs were part of the raid.

The Lawyers said they were informed that the operation had taken place under the SAPS Act, which meant there was no warrant issued by a court, as required by law.

The Lawyers argue that the action may only be conducted with the authorisation of a warrant and only on reasonable grounds.