POLOKWANE: A major police operation in Limpopo’s Sekhukhune District has resulted in the apprehension of 121 suspected illegal immigrants, the arrest of 26 wanted suspects and the seizure of equipment allegedly linked to illegal mining.

The arrests were made during Operation Shanela II-Retshepheng, a multidisciplinary crime fighting operation led by Limpopo Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers in the Apel and Mecklenburg policing areas on Saturday, 8 August 2026.

The operation targeted several law enforcement priorities, including illegal immigration, illegal mining, wanted suspects and other criminal activities.

Police teams conducted roadblocks, stop-and-search operations and targeted actions as part of the crackdown.

26 Wanted Suspects Arrested

Detectives played a key role in the operation, tracing and arresting 26 wanted suspects linked to a range of serious and other criminal cases.

According to the South African Police Service, the suspects are linked to:

• Eight cases of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm
• Four theft cases
• Three common assault cases
• Three cases of malicious damage to property
• One common robbery case
• One case involving possession of a dangerous weapon
• One case involving illicit cigarettes
• One business burglary case
• One robbery with a weapon case
• One stock theft case
• One rape case
• One sexual assault case

The arrests form part of ongoing efforts by police to locate wanted suspects and disrupt criminal activity across the province.

Immigration Enforcement Leads to 121 Apprehensions

Immigration enforcement was another major component of the operation.

Police apprehended 121 suspected illegal immigrants during the operation. Three Lesotho nationals were also arrested, while four Ethiopian nationals were identified and are awaiting the relevant asylum processes.

The arrests form part of the province’s wider enforcement operations targeting unlawful immigration and associated criminal activity.

Illegal Mining Equipment Seized

Police also targeted suspected illegal mining activity during the operation, seizing 22 items believed to be linked to illegal mining.

The seized items included wheelbarrows, buckets, jackhammers, generators, spades, a chisel and a knife.

Illegal mining remains a significant law enforcement concern in parts of South Africa, with police and other authorities continuing to conduct operations aimed at disrupting activities associated with unregulated mining.

63 Vehicles and 133 People Searched

A joint roadblock involving SAPS, provincial and local traffic police, as well as other law enforcement agencies, was conducted at Sefateng Mine along the R37 near Tjibeng.

During the operation, officers searched 63 vehicles and 133 people.

Traffic authorities issued 10 summonses with a combined value of R21,500 for offences including driving licence violations, an unlicensed vehicle and defective stop lamps.

The roadblock formed part of the broader multidisciplinary approach used during the operation, combining crime prevention, immigration enforcement and traffic law enforcement.

Police Commissioner Warns Criminals

Lieutenant General Scheepers praised the multidisciplinary teams involved in the operation and said police would continue conducting high-density operations across Limpopo.

“Hit hard on criminals and squeeze every space. Our communities must be safe,” Scheepers said.

The arrested suspects are expected to appear before the relevant courts where applicable.

The latest operation comes as law enforcement agencies continue to intensify targeted operations against wanted suspects, illegal mining, unlawful immigration and other criminal activities in Limpopo.

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