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 over the past 14 days for contravening the Immigration Act.
Police said some of those arrested also face serious charges, including murder, rape and possession of unlicensed firearms, describing the figures as evidence of government’s intensified efforts to combat illegal immigration and related crime.
Recent operations include the arrest of more than 800 undocumented foreign nationals in Gauteng, including 217 suspects detained during an illegal mining raid at Losberg Kloof Mine in Westonaria. In the Free State, nine undocumented foreign nationals were arrested at a biscuit manufacturing factory in Reitz, with authorities investigating the business for alleged non-compliance.
Meanwhile, SAPS has warned against vigilantism following the arrest of five suspects in Lephalale, Limpopo, who allegedly impersonated Home Affairs officials and unlawfully targeted foreign nationals. Investigations also continue into the murder of March and March Gauteng leader Andile Mvuyiselwa Somgaxa.
Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane urged communities not to take the law into their own hands.
“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,” said Dimpane.
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