Bloemfontein guesthouse owner and Nigerian national Lyndon Adentuji Odili, 56, the husband of Lulama Titi-Odili, briefly appeared in the same court on Wednesday (1/7).

Odili faces 18 counts of allegedly harbouring, aiding, abetting, assisting or enabling undocumented foreign nationals in contravention of the Immigration Act, 2002.

He was arrested on Tuesday, after police acted on information from a member of the public about undocumented foreign nationals allegedly being hidden at a guesthouse in Raymond Mhlaba Street, Bloemfontein.

Upon arrival, officers conducted a thorough search of the premises, said Free State police spokesperson Sgt Mahlomola Kareli. “A total of 18 undocumented foreign nationals were found inside without the necessary legal authorization to reside in the Republic of South Africa.

“The owner of the guesthouse was subsequently summoned to the scene. Following a consultation, he was arrested under Section 40(1) of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977 (Act 51 of 1977).

“Separate dockets have also been opened against the 18 undocumented individuals for contraventions against the Immigration Act, illegal entry, and stay within the Republic of South Africa.”

During a visit to the property shortly after the arrest, Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae urged residents not to speculate while investigations continue.

Investigators were still determining whether the foreign nationals had legitimately booked accommodation at the guesthouse or were being deliberately concealed from authorities, she said.

The premier also revealed most of the undocumented foreign nationals found at the property were from countries including Ethiopia and Nigeria.

Meanwhile, during a National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJoints) media briefing on Wednesday, NatJoints chairperson Lt. Gen. Tebello Mosikili said more than 900 people were arrested during the June 30 nationwide demonstrations, of whom most were illegal foreigners.

In the Free State, 132 people were arrested for various crimes including public violence and contravention of the Immigration Act, looting and business robbery.

A total of 83 arrests for various crimes were recorded in North West, including looting, public violence, and contravention of the Immigration Act. Meanwhile in the Northern Cape, 51 suspects were arrested for various crimes, including looting, public violence, and contravention of the Immigration Act.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame sm

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