Nelspruit, South Africa — Impoverished Mozambicans continue to flock to South Africa for a better life even if it means putting their life in danger by walking through the Kruger National Park.

South African National Defence Force (SANDF) statistics indicate that 1 193 illegal Mozambican immigrants were arrested in South Africa last month.

Of these, 85 were arrested in the world famous park, while 1 108 were arrested on the border south of Komatipoort in Mpumalanga province, said Group 33 spokeswoman in Nelspruit Lize Pienaar on Wednesday.

Pienaar said commando members in Belfast, Groblersdal, Malelane and Nelspruit also arrested 173 illegal immigrants in their jurisdiction.

"Although the majority of undocumented migrants were from Mozambique, a few citizens of Somalia and Pakistan were also arrested," she said.

Joint army and police operations also recovered 10 stolen firearms and six stolen vehicles on the border between South Africa and Mozambique.

Dagga weighing 10,9kg and 52 rounds of ammunition were also confiscated on the border, Pienaar added.

She said the operations resulted in the arrest of 25 suspects.

Part-time army commandos throughout the province also had major successes in stamping out crime by arresting 68 suspects, she said.

Volunteer commando members arrested the suspects in connection with stealing 21 vehicles and eight unlicensed weapons.

The suspects are also accused of poaching game worth R1 800, illegally possessing chrome and foreign currency notes, as well 42,5kg of dagga and 12 rounds of ammunition.