Pretoria – The South African Police Service (SAPS) has announced that nearly 9,000 foreign nationals have been arrested for immigration offenses in the past two weeks.
The arrests were made by the police, who work closely with the Home Office, Border Management Agency (BMA) and other government departments, with a focus on immigration enforcement.
ISAPS announced that in the past 14 days, 8,896 foreign nationals were arrested nationwide for violating the Immigration Law (Act No. 13 of 2002).
Some of these individuals face additional charges related to serious and violent crimes such as murder, rape, and unlicensed possession of firearms.
“These figures reflect the Government's commitment to decisively tackling illegal immigration and related crime across the country,” police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Amanda van Wyk said on Wednesday 15 July 2026.
Last week, more than 800 illegal foreigners were arrested in multiple operations across Gauteng.
In one of the operations, police, with support from the South African National Defense Force (SANDF) and other stakeholders, arrested 217 suspects at the Rossberg Kloof mine in Westonaria on 7 July 2026.
The operation targeted illegal mining activities and other related criminal activities in the area.
In Free State Lights, intelligence led officers to a biscuit manufacturing factory on July 3, 2026, where nine illegal aliens were arrested.
The suspects remain in detention pending immigration examination.
The local government is involved and the factory faces closure while the investigation continues.
Authorities are considering further action against the owners for the alleged violations.
In Limpopo province, five suspects were recently arrested in Lephalale after posing as Ministry of Home Affairs officials and demanding the illegal removal of foreigners from Marapong district.
Meanwhile, acting SAPS national chairman Lieutenant General Pullen Dimpane issued a stern warning against illegal intimidation and harassment of foreigners.
“Violence, whether perpetrated by South Africans or foreigners, destroys communities and undermines trust, and is never an acceptable solution to conflict resolution,” Lt. Gen. Dinpaeng said.
“We urge the community not to take matters into their own hands.
“Our men and women in blue work hard to arrest those who violate our laws.”
