JOHANNESBURG, 30 June 2026 — A drone surveillance operation by the Gauteng Joint Surveillance Hub has uncovered an illegal abattoir operating from a property in Crown Mines, Johannesburg, leading to the arrest of six undocumented foreign nationals.
The operation unfolded at about 03:00 on Tuesday after surveillance drones detected suspicious activity at the premises. Ground teams were deployed to investigate and confirmed that the property was being used as an unlawful abattoir.
Provincial Stock Theft and Endangered Species Investigators, assisted by members of Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management, remain on the scene gathering evidence and processing the property.
Police said six undocumented foreign nationals were arrested during the operation.
The owner of the establishment is expected to be arrested on allegations of employing undocumented immigrants. Investigators are also examining whether additional offences linked to the illegal slaughter operation, including possible contraventions of livestock, public health and municipal regulations, were committed.
The investigation is ongoing, and police are expected to release further details as processing of the scene continues.
