South African Police Arrest 12,009 Undocumented Foreign Nationals

The South African Police Service arrested 12,009 undocumented foreign nationals during coordinated operations ending July 23, 2026. The crackdown, conducted in partnership with the Department of Home Affairs and the South African National Defence Force, aimed to strengthen border security and enforce immigration laws. In the final week of the three-week period, authorities apprehended 3,113 individuals.

Beyond immigration enforcement, the operations targeted serious crime. This included a seizure of 379kg of cannabis and synthetic drugs at a weighbridge in Colesberg, Northern Cape. Internal corruption was also targeted, as police arrested five constables from the Gauteng anti-corruption unit for allegedly extorting a Mozambican national.

These operations follow a period of social instability, including a nationwide protest on June 30 and subsequent weekly marches calling for the removal of undocumented foreigners from the country.