An intelligence-driven operation, conducted by police in the Vorstershoop policing area on Saturday (27/6), resulted in the arrest of 23 suspected undocumented foreign nationals, 21 to 49.

Police intercepted a white Isuzu bakkie and a white Toyota Land Cruiser single cab on the R379 gravel road, said North West police spokesperson Col. Anne Magakoe. Several occupants fled onto nearby farms, while the driver and the farmer, were stopped.

Police requested the farmer to contact the individuals, who returned voluntarily for verification purposes. Further checks, conducted in conjunction with the department of home affairs in Ganyesa, confirmed their documentation had expired or was invalid.

The suspects are expected to appear before the Ganyesa Magistrate’s Court on Monday (29/6) on charges relating to immigration legislation.

Security agencies across the country are preparing for possible nationwide protests and shutdown actions on Tuesday (30/6). Anti-immigration and civil society groups have called on undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa by the end of the month, warning failure to do so could trigger mass demonstrations.

North West police have confirmed security forces remain on high alert as the province enters what authorities have described as the so-called March-to-March period.

North West community safety and transport management MEC Wessels Morweng urged residents to exercise their constitutional right to protest responsibly and within the confines of the law.

“We want to emphasise the fact that on the 30th no one must encroach on the other one’s rights. Both those marching and those who will not be marching, they remain our responsibility as government, and they will be protected.

“We implore our people they must make sure the marches they will be embarking on are legal. There must be marches that do not contain issues of looting, marches that do not contain criminality.”

Law enforcement agencies would act decisively against anyone attempting to exploit the demonstrations to commit crimes, warned Morweng. “Any other attempt to try and take advantage of the march to advance criminal activities will not be tolerated and will be met with decisiveness of the police.”

Government has acknowledged public concerns surrounding undocumented foreign nationals, but he stressed immigration laws must be enforced through lawful processes.

President Cyril Ramaphosa had made it clear citizens should allow government to deal with the issue of illegal and undocumented foreign nationals through the appropriate legal channels.

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