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JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) - South African police raided a downtown church Wednesday night where hundreds of Zimbabweans had taken refuge, hauling people in pajamas to a police station in scenes reminiscent of apartheid-era raids.
Bishop Paul Verryn sheltered about 1,200 people at the Central Methodist Church, which has become a haven for Zimbabweans fleeing their own country's political and economic meltdown. Verryn said police arrived around 11 p.m. Two hours later, police were still taking people by the van load to the central police station.
Authorities, who have been struggling with the migrant influx, did not immediately explain the purpose of the raid. Verryn said he had been told police were looking for illegal immigrants, drugs and weapons.
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