South African police say they have arrested 1,891 foreign nationals in the past week for contravening the Immigration Act as part of intensified nationwide operations targeting illegal immigration and related criminality.
Acting South African Police Service (SAPS) national commissioner Puleng Dimpane said the arrests were made under Operation Shanela, a police crackdown on undocumented migration, organised crime and violent offences.
“As part of ongoing high-density operations conducted across all provinces, a total of 1,891 illegal foreigners were arrested during the past week alone for contravention of the Immigration Act,” Dimpane said.
She said the police would continue to step up enforcement to ensure that anyone found in the country unlawfully is processed in line with the law.
Dimpane urged communities to report criminal activity while avoiding vigilantism or intimidation of foreign nationals, stressing that all operations are conducted within the confines of the constitution.
Police figures show that between 1 January and 17 May, a total of 29,371 undocumented foreign nationals have been arrested during intelligence‑driven operations, roadblocks, tracing initiatives and stop‑and‑search activities across all provinces.
Authorities say the crackdown forms part of broader efforts to stabilise communities affected by unlawful activity linked to undocumented migration.
JN/APA