Limpopo Premier Ramathuba Enlists Traditional Leaders as 339 Undocumented Migrants Detained in Major Crackdown
POLOKWANE | Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba has intensified her province’s crackdown on undocumented immigration, announcing plans to engage traditional leaders across Limpopo in a province-wide dialogue aimed at addressing the harbouring of undocumented foreign nationals.
The move signals a new phase in the provincial government’s immigration enforcement strategy, with Ramathuba making it clear that she intends to work closely with traditional authorities rather than rely on pressure from civic movements. The dialogue will be held across Limpopo’s five districts from 31 July 2026, focusing on the role communities and traditional leaders can play in supporting compliance with South Africa’s immigration laws.
Ramathuba unveiled the plan while leading a large-scale door-to-door compliance operation in Greenside, outside Polokwane, on Friday.
She was joined by Acting Provincial Police Commissioner Major General Jan Scheepers, MEC for Transport and Community Safety Violet Mathye, law enforcement agencies and other government stakeholders.
The operation formed part of an intensified campaign to enforce immigration legislation and combat related criminal activity.
Authorities searched 478 people, stopped and inspected 148 vehicles, and conducted compliance inspections at 34 spaza shops to verify adherence to applicable legislation and protect consumers.
The operation resulted in the identification of 339 undocumented foreign nationals, primarily Zimbabwean and Malawian nationals. Officials said those identified will be processed in accordance with the Immigration Act by the relevant authorities.
Police also arrested one suspect wanted in connection with a murder and robbery case, while two other suspects were arrested for the illegal sale of illicit cigarettes.
In scenes that underscored the human impact of the operation, women identified during the enforcement action were instructed to pack their belongings before being transported to the Department of Home Affairs’ temporary repatriation processing centre in Musina, where their cases will be processed.
Addressing residents during the operation, Ramathuba appealed to community members and traditional leaders not to harbour undocumented foreign nationals or register businesses, including spaza shops, on their behalf.
The Premier said traditional leaders remain critical partners because an estimated 90% of Limpopo’s population lives in rural areas, where traditional authorities continue to play an influential role in local governance and community affairs.
The latest enforcement figures released by the South African government highlight the scale of the ongoing migration crackdown.
As of mid-July 2026, 53,449 undocumented foreign nationals had been processed for deportation or voluntary repatriation since intensified migration enforcement operations began in June 2026.
Government statistics show that more than 80% of those processed were Malawian nationals. Others originated from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Nigeria, Uganda and Kenya.
Officials also confirmed that more than 20,000 people have passed through the temporary repatriation processing centre in Musina since the intensified operations began.
The upcoming engagements between the Limpopo provincial government and traditional leaders are expected to shape how immigration enforcement is carried out in rural communities, where authorities believe local cooperation will be essential in addressing undocumented migration while ensuring enforcement remains within the framework of South African law.
