In a large-scale operation conducted by the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Limpopo province, 208 undocumented individuals were apprehended, and suspected stolen property was recovered.The operation, which targeted the Marble Hall and Groblersdall policing areas in the Sekhukhune District, began on the evening of Thursday, July 19, 2024, and continued until 11:00 the following day.
The primary goal of this extensive operation was to address illegal activities in the Leeuwfontein area and surrounding farms. The results of the operation were significant, with the arrests breaking down as follows:
-176 Zimbabwean nationals
-28 Mozambican nationals
-4 Indian nationals
All individuals were taken into police custody for contravening the Immigration Act.
During the course of the arrests, police made additional seizures. A white Toyota Hilux bakkie, loaded with oranges suspected to be stolen, was confiscated from two foreign male nationals.
In a separate incident, one male suspect was apprehended for possession of a suspected stolen plasma smart television set, which was discovered in one of the rooms at a local farm.
The operation`s aftermath saw swift action taken. The Zimbabwean and Mozambican nationals, including both adults and minor children, were immediately deported to their respective countries via the appropriate border crossings.
This quick deportation process highlights the efficiency of the operation and the coordination between SAPS and immigration authorities.
The four Indian nationals, however, remain in police custody. Authorities are conducting further investigations to facilitate their deportation to India, suggesting that their case may involve additional complexities or require more extensive documentation.
Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, the Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo, expressed strong support for the operation. She commended the `outstanding work displayed by the men and women in blue in combating illegal activities as well as the contravention of immigration across the province.` Furthermore, she emphasized that such efforts to maintain law and order will continue throughout Limpopo.
This operation raises several important points:
-The scale of undocumented immigration in the area, particularly from neighboring countries like Zimbabwe and Mozambique,.
-The potential link between undocumented individuals and other criminal activities, such as property theft,.
-The immediate deportation of minors along with adults, which may spark discussions about the treatment of undocumented children.
-The different handling of nationals from countries further afield (in this case, India) compared to those from neighboring nations.
-The ongoing challenges faced by South African authorities in managing border control and immigration issues.
As South Africa continues to grapple with these complex issues, operations like this one in Limpopo are likely to remain a key part of the government`s strategy to address undocumented immigration and associated criminal activities.
Source:
https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=54527