The South African Police Service (SAPS), working alongside the Department of Home Affairs, the Border Management Authority (BMA) and other government departments, has arrested 8 896 undocumented foreign nationals across the country over the past 14 days for contravening the Immigration Act.
According to SAPS, some of those arrested are also facing additional charges linked to serious and violent crimes, including murder, rape and the possession of unlicensed firearms. Police said the arrests form part of government's intensified efforts to combat illegal immigration and related criminal activity.
Among the recent operations was a large-scale enforcement action in Gauteng, where more than 800 undocumented foreign nationals were arrested. On 7 July, a multidisciplinary operation at the Losberg Kloof Mine in Westonaria resulted in the arrest of 217 suspects, targeting illegal mining and associated criminal offences.
In the Free State, intelligence-driven operations led police to a biscuit manufacturing factory in Reitz on 3 July, where nine undocumented foreign nationals were arrested. The suspects remain in custody while their immigration status is being verified. Authorities said the municipality has been engaged and the factory faces closure pending further investigations, with possible action also being considered against the owner for alleged non-compliance.
Meanwhile, Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane has warned against vigilantism and the unlawful targeting of foreign nationals. Her comments follow 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 later confirmed that the Nigerian businessman targeted during the incident was legally documented and operating lawfully.
Dimpane stressed that violence is not an acceptable means of resolving disputes.
"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 to not take matters into their own hands. Our men and women in blue are hard at work in arresting those who contravene the laws of our country."
Police further reminded the public that only authorised law enforcement officials may conduct immigration inspections and verify the legal status of individuals in South Africa, warning that acts of intimidation, vigilantism and violence will be dealt with decisively.