POLOKWANE – An anti-illegal foreigner movement in Seshego has gained momentum since its inception on Sunday afternoon, with 23 foreign national-owned shops closed in the township for allegedly being improperly documented.

The operation continued into Monday with more residents joining. Thirteen undocumented foreign nationals were also taken in by police during the search and are being kept at Seshego Police Station.

Focus on foreign-owned shops

The activity was particularly focused on foreign-owned shops that are popular even beyond the borders of the township.

The movement in Seshego comes days after the June 30 deadline issued by the national March and March Movement for undocumented migrants to leave the country. That campaign has gained momentum in other parts of Limpopo and the country.

In Mankweng, thousands of residents also submitted a memorandum of demands to police, the Department of Home Affairs and Polokwane Municipality on similar concerns but did not want to be associated with the national organisation.

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An anti-illegal foreigner movement in Seshego has closed 23 shops and seen 13 undocumented nationals taken in by police. pic.twitter.com/5zGh8njMGP

— Polokwane Observer (@PolokwaneObserv) July 13, 2026

On Thursday, one of the activists leading the Seshego action, Chrishani Mafalo, shared a copy of their request for police intervention and the maintenance of law and order during what was referred to as a community gathering at Seshego Stadium on Sunday.

He said part of the resolution was to join other communities who are checking for undocumented and improperly documented foreign nationals, targeting shops similar to those linked to children suffering food poisoning in Gauteng in recent months.

“We understand that they know we are alert and expect them to either be properly documented or leave. But they are the ones selling us food with our children on the other hand. Hence, the resolution to begin with them. Our township businesses have closed down because they sell at extremely low prices,” Mafalo said.

Call out to landlords

He also called out landlords: “Owners of units they rent to such groups are the biggest problem in society and should take responsibility by ensuring that they are properly documented.”

Movement to spread across Polokwane

Like in Mankweng, those taken in have been kept at the front of Seshego Police Station and at a popular food outlet in Seshego Zone 1. Mafalo vowed that the initiative will spill over to other parts of the Polokwane Municipality.

Seshego police spokesperson Sergeant Ali Maluleke said there was not a large number of people sent there, confirming the police were working to handle the presence of alleged undocumented foreign nationals present there.