Police in the Sarah Baartman District have arrested 139 suspects during a week-long crime-fighting operation targeting drug trafficking, violent crime, and immigration-related offences.
The coordinated operations, conducted between 1 and 7 June 2026, resulted in the arrest of 35 undocumented foreign nationals and a 45-year-old Chinese business owner accused of employing foreign nationals without valid work permits.
The businessman was arrested during Operation Identity, which was carried out in St Francis Bay, Humansdorp and Hankey. Authorities charged him under Section 49(3), read with Section 38 of the Immigration Act No. 13 of 2002, for employing undocumented workers. Fines amounting to R55 500 were issued.
The arrests come amid government’s intensified efforts to combat illegal immigration and associated criminal activities. During an address to the nation on Sunday, President Cyril Ramaphosa said illegal migration routes are increasingly linked to organised crime networks involved in trafficking, extortion, illegal mining, drug distribution and money laundering.
“Illegal migration routes increasingly overlap with organised crime. Criminal syndicates involved in trafficking, extortion, illegal mining, drugs and money laundering often use undocumented migration for recruitment and concealment of goods,” Ramaphosa said.
The President also warned businesses against exploiting undocumented workers by paying wages below the legal minimum and forcing them to work excessive hours without proper compensation.
“Employers who knowingly hire undocumented workers and exploit their vulnerability are breaking the law. They undermine labour standards, fair competition and opportunities for South Africans,” he said.
Government has adopted a Comprehensive Approach for Migration Management aimed at strengthening border security, enforcing immigration laws and tackling corruption. As part of this strategy, the Department of Employment and Labour has begun the phased recruitment of 10 000 inspectors to boost labour law enforcement.
Ramaphosa further indicated that harsher penalties, including imprisonment, are being considered for employers found guilty of violating immigration laws.
Meanwhile, Crime Intelligence-led operations across the district also dealt a significant blow to the illegal drug trade. Police arrested 26 suspects, including 11 for dealing in or possessing drugs.
Officers seized mandrax, tik, cocaine, magic mushrooms and rock kat with a combined estimated street value exceeding R311 885.
Tracing operations led to the arrest of 43 suspects for various offences, while tactical combat operations secured a further 35 arrests.
All suspects are expected to appear in various magistrates’ courts in the coming days.
Acting Sarah Baartman District Commissioner Brigadier Abduraghmaan Humphries commended SAPS members and multidisciplinary teams for their efforts.
“South Africa is a constitutional country governed by laws that must be respected by both citizens and foreign nationals,” Humphries said.
He added that the exploitation of undocumented workers remains a key driver of illegal migration.
“The root cause of illegal migration is often business owners exploiting undocumented workers for cheap labour, dodging minimum wages and bypassing local labour regulations,” he said.
Humphries urged communities to report illegal employment practices through the proper channels and warned against taking the law into their own hands through intimidation, violence or unlawful protests.
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