Nearly 9 000 undocumented foreign nationals arrested in nationwide crackdown
Police arrested 8 896 undocumented foreign nationals across South Africa over the past two weeks during intensified immigration enforcement operations conducted with the Department of Home Affairs, the Border Management Authority and other government departments.
The South African Police Service (SAPS), working with the Department of Home Affairs, the Border Management Authority (BMA) and other government departments, has arrested 8 896 undocumented foreign nationals across the country during intensified immigration enforcement operations.
According to the South African Government News Agency (SAnews), the arrests were made over the past 14 days for alleged contraventions of the Immigration Act (Act No. 13 of 2002).
Police said some of those arrested also face additional charges, including murder, rape and the unlawful possession of firearms.
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In Gauteng, several operations conducted last week resulted in the arrest of more than 800 undocumented foreign nationals. During one operation on July 7, police, supported by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and other stakeholders, arrested 217 suspects at the Losberg Kloof Mine in Westonaria.
The operation targeted alleged illegal mining activities and related offences.
In the Free State, an intelligence-led operation on July 3 resulted in the arrest of nine undocumented foreign nationals at a biscuit manufacturing factory in Reitz. The suspects remain in custody while authorities verify their immigration status.
Police said the municipality has been notified and the factory faces possible closure while investigations continue. Authorities are also considering further action against the owner for alleged non-compliance.
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Meanwhile, Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane warned against the unlawful intimidation and harassment of foreign nationals.
The warning follows the arrest of five suspects in Lephalale, Limpopo, who allegedly posed as Department of Home Affairs officials and demanded the removal of foreign nationals from Marapong township. The Department of Home Affairs confirmed that the Nigerian national targeted during the incident was legally documented and permitted to operate his business.
A multidisciplinary team has also been appointed to investigate the murder of March and March Gauteng leader Andile Mvuyiselwa Somgaxa, who was shot at his Greenfield, Johannesburg, home on July 4 and died in hospital five days later.
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“Violence, whether perpetrated by South Africans or foreign nationals, destroys communities, erodes trust, and will never be tolerated as a solution to resolve disputes. We urge communities not to take matters into their own hands. Our men and women in blue are hard at work arresting those who contravene the laws of our country,” said Dimpane.
SAPS reminded the public that only authorised law enforcement officials may inspect documentation and verify a person’s legal status in South Africa. Police warned that intimidation, vigilantism and violence would be met with decisive action.
