POLOKWANE – Police have arrested five South Africans in Malapon township, Lephalale, Limpopo province, for allegedly trying to force a Nigerian businessman out of the country by illegally closing his shop.
Narrating the circumstances leading to the arrest, police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said that on Wednesday, July 9, 2026, the suspects went to a lounge shop owned by a Nigerian national.
A group of local residents confronted the Nigerian at his business and ordered him to close down, claiming that as a foreigner he had no right to run a business in South Africa.
“The group allegedly threatened to destroy his business and demanded his departure from the country,” Colonel Ledwaba said on Monday, July 13, 2026.
The Nigerians were then taken to the Ministry of Interior office in Lephalale, where their immigration documents were checked and found to be valid.
The Nigerian businessman then filed a case of intimidation at Lefalale Police Station.
“Based on the information received, members of the Lephalale Visible Policing, Criminal and Security Police conducted a planned tactical operation targeting the suspects allegedly involved in the incident,” Colonel Ledwaba said.
“During the operation, five suspects aged between 20 and 58 were arrested at different addresses in Marapong township.”
The suspects are charged with intimidation, inciting violence and impersonating Interior Ministry officials.
One of the suspects will also face additional charges related to a separate threat incident.
“Preliminary investigation has revealed that the suspects were among the instigators who mobilized local residents against illegal aliens and encouraged their illegal removal from the town,” a police spokesperson said.
Limpopo provincial police acting chief Major General Jan Seepers warned that no individual or community group has the authority to enforce immigration laws or inspect identity and immigration documents.
“Such missions are the sole responsibility of duly authorized law enforcement and government officials,” Maj. Gen. Scheepers said.
“Community members are encouraged to report any concerns regarding illegal aliens to the appropriate authorities and avoid taking the law into their own hands.”
The arrested suspects are scheduled to appear in the Lefale Magistrates Court on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
In an update to the inter-ministerial committee at the weekend, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubai said: “The Government reiterates that immigration control, border control, deportation and facilitation of repatriation are the exclusive responsibility of States.
“No person or group has the authority to take the law into their own hands or to threaten, intimidate, or unlawfully exclude anyone from any community.”
The Minister of Justice added that law enforcement agencies have registered 205 cases across the country, arrested 350 suspects and brought 112 cases to court for intimidation, incitement and illegal acts related to vigilante activities against foreigners.
