Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba has called on South Africans to stop accommodating undocumented immigrants, saying some residents are enabling illegal immigration by providing housing and services to people living in the country unlawfully.
Ramathuba made the remarks during a multi-agency law enforcement operation in Greenside, Seshego, near Polokwane, where authorities arrested more than 330 undocumented immigrants in the Capricorn District.
The operation involved the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Department of Home Affairs and the Department of Health, with officials conducting inspections in several areas as part of efforts to curb illegal immigration in the province.
Addressing residents, Ramathuba said government housing intended to improve the lives of South African families was, in some cases, being used to accommodate undocumented immigrants.
She alleged that some homeowners had built backyard rooms on their properties, connected electricity and water illegally, and rented the structures to undocumented foreign nationals.
"The people who enable criminality by harbouring undocumented immigrants in their backrooms are our fellow South Africans. Government provides RDP houses to improve the lives of families, but instead some residents build backrooms, connect electricity and water illegally, and accommodate undocumented immigrants," Ramathuba said.
She urged communities to work with authorities in addressing illegal immigration and related criminal activities.
Acting Limpopo Police Commissioner Major General Jan Scheepers said the operation marked the beginning of a broader provincial campaign that will be rolled out across all districts.
Scheepers welcomed the results of the operation but stressed that law enforcement efforts would be intensified in other parts of the province.
He said police would continue working with various government departments under the leadership of the Premier to address illegal immigration and other forms of criminality.
Scheepers also acknowledged the right of communities to protest, urging residents to do so peacefully and within the bounds of the law.
"We are pleased with what has been achieved today, but this is only the beginning. Similar operations are already underway in other districts, and we will continue listening to our communities. People have a constitutional right to protest, and as long as those protests remain lawful, we will support them," he said.
Authorities say the coordinated operations form part of ongoing efforts to strengthen immigration enforcement and improve public safety across Limpopo.