Latest news with #OperationNewBroom
The Citizen
14-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
If you are in South Africa illegally, self-deport now, warns Home Affairs
'We want to send a strong message to all who are illegally residing and working in the country that we are coming for them' Operation New Broom in Roodepoort in Gauteng on 7 July 2025. Picture: Home Affairs/X Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has warned those in South Africa without proper documentation to self-deport before his department reaches them. On Friday, Schreiber led Operation New Broom to conduct its first immigration enforcement raids in Nelson Mandela Bay. The operation led to the arrest for deportation of 95 illegal immigrants. Numerous operations have already been conducted in Cape Town and Pretoria. ALSO READ: Tip-off leads police to at least 90 illegal foreigners in abandoned Houghton property The latest operation took place in the Gqeberha Central Business District, where, according to Schreiber, a dilapidated warehouse was found to be housing numerous illegal foreigners. A Chinese-owned business was also found to be in contravention of a range of immigration laws. The Department will be in court today to confirm the deportation orders. 'Operation New Broom demonstrates our commitment to work in a focused manner to restore the rule of law. 'Our message to people who are in our country illegally is clear: voluntarily self-deport now, before Home Affairs deports you and bans you from entering South Africa altogether,' warned the home affairs minister. Gauteng operation On Monday, 7 July, Deputy Home Affairs Minister Njabulo Nzuza led Operation New Broom in Roodepoort in Gauteng. The operation followed a tip-off from a community member. ALSO READ: SA taxi driver nabbed attempting to smuggle 25 illegal foreigners, gets R375k fine 'We encourage citizens to continue reporting suspected illegal activities. It would have been difficult for anyone to suspect that unlawful activities were taking place here because the managers and workers live and sleep in the factory,' said Nzuza. 'We want to send a strong message to all who are illegally residing and working in the country that we are coming for them. We found 21 illegal foreign nationals from Malawi, China and Zimbabwe. One Malawian had a visitor's visa but was found working in contravention of the conditions of his visa. All the arrested people are being processed for deportation.' Home Affairs' Operation New Broom Home Affairs launched Operation New Broom in May, as part of the department's drive to intensify enforcement operations in urban hotspots. The operation seeks to arrest, convict and deport illegal immigrants occupying public spaces. ALSO READ: Home Affairs committee raises alarm over border authority underfunding The first operation took place in District 6 in Cape Town, where 25 suspects were arrested while occupying land meant for restitution to the victims of forced removals. The operation utilises biometric technology to verify the immigration status of suspects, thereby eliminating the risk of fraudulent documents and strengthening legal cases. 'The benefits of our commitment to digital transformation are being felt across all areas of Home Affairs' mandate, including through the strides made by the Border Management Authority at the borders and by Home Affairs inland,' said the minister. 'As with everything else we do, Operation New Broom is guided by our commitment to the rule of law. It is this commitment that both motivates us to do more to combat illegality, and to uphold due process and legal compliance in the process.' READ NEXT: Schreiber explains persistent ICT failures plaguing home affairs offices
The Citizen
07-07-2025
- The Citizen
22 arrested during raid on factory employing illegal foreign nationals
The factory had been operating with illegal connections to the municipal power grid after being previously disconnected for non-payment. Home Affairs Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza on Monday revealed that law enforcement discovered weapons and ammunition during a raid on a Roodepoort factory allegedly employing illegal immigrants. The factory, owned by a Chinese national, was raided during an operation that led to 22 arrests. Police investigate factory and foreign nationals The discovery of weapons has escalated the matter beyond immigration violations. 'There is a manager here who is not South African. They are busy trying to get them to open the safe because part of the thing that they found here is ammunition, weapons and all sorts of things which really point to a police matter now and the police are handling that particular matter,' Nzuza stated. The deputy minister confirmed that authorities have identified the factory owner, who was not present during the raid. 'We know that they've already fingered the owner; they say it is the boss, and the boss is apparently in another suburb somewhere around here in Gauteng. 'We'll deal with that when we arrest that particular individual for transgressing the laws of employing illegal foreign nationals,' he said. ALSO READ: Need an ID? Home Affairs extends office hours Foreign nationals arrests and immigration violations The operation resulted in significant arrests across multiple nationalities. 'We have so far arrested about 22 people. Out of those 22 people, one of them came in through a visitor's visa, but we find them working here. The others do not have any form of documentation. The majority of them, they are coming from Malawi, and others are Chinese nationals,' Nzuza explained. 'All the arrested people are being processed for deportation,' the deputy minister stated. Appalling living conditions Beyond the immigration violations, officials discovered disturbing living arrangements that raised concerns about worker exploitation. The factory had been operating with illegal connections to the municipal power grid after being previously disconnected for non-payment. Nzuza expressed particular concern about the treatment of workers. 'It would have been difficult for anyone to suspect that unlawful activities were taking place here because the managers and workers live and sleep in the factory. 'The people who are working here are also sleeping here, which means that they do not move up and down, which is more like a detainment kind of situation that we found. The gross living conditions are absolutely appalling for us,' he said. ALSO READ: Here is what's causing delays at Home Affairs offices Operation new broom success The raid was conducted as part of Operation New Broom, a multidisciplinary law enforcement initiative targeting illegal activities. It was launched following intelligence received from community members who reported suspicious activities at the facility. The deputy minister emphasised how the operation's success demonstrated the effectiveness of community cooperation with law enforcement. He noted that the covert nature of the operation made detection particularly challenging, as the factory's workforce lived on-site, creating minimal external visibility of the illegal activities. Strong warning to offenders Nzuza used the successful operation to send a clear message to those operating outside the law. 'We want to send a strong message to all who are illegally residing and working in the country that we are coming for them,' he declared. The deputy minister encouraged continued community vigilance, stating that authorities rely on public cooperation to identify and address illegal activities. READ NEXT: Businesses tap Home Affairs' visa reforms to recruit foreign talent and boost tourism
The Citizen
04-07-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
SAHRC warns against blocking health care access to foreigners
SAHRC says denying access to health services based on nationality is unlawful. The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has issued a strong warning to individuals and groups obstructing access to health care for non-nationals. It said such actions violate the constitution of South Africa and could lead to legal consequences. Earlier this week, the commission reaffirmed that 'everyone has the right to have access to health care services' as enshrined in section 27(1) of the constitution. On Friday, the March and March group movement, focused on forcing the government to remove undocumented foreigners from the country, is at Addington Hospital. The group is denying access to anyone without citizenship or legal asylum seeker papers 'Protest is not xenophobic' Speaking to eNCA, March and March chairperson Teresa Nokele confirmed that her group was stopping people outside the hospital. 'We do give them entrance when it's severe,' she said. 'But if you're just coming for a headache or basic meds, sorry, we're not going to allow that.' She insisted the movement is peaceful and denied that the protest was xenophobic. However, she admitted to exercising 'discretion' based on whether patients could speak English and whether they appeared 'really in need'. 'If you cannot speak English, we're not going to deny that fact… But we use our own discretion,' she said. ALSO READ: Home Affairs launches Operation New Broom to tackle illegal immigration No one may act as gatekeeper to clinics The commission stressed that the constitution does not qualify or limit this right based on immigration status or citizenship. 'Furthermore, in accordance with section 27(3), no one may be refused emergency medical treatment,' it said. The commission expressed concern over growing reports of foreign nationals. This includes undocumented migrants and refugees being denied treatment at public healthcare facilities or being blocked from entering by individuals claiming to enforce immigration laws. 'It is important to note that no civic group or individual has the legal authority to control access to public health facilities or to enforce immigration laws,' the statement read. 'Only the department of home affairs, with the support of Saps, has such authority.' The SAHRC urged law enforcement agencies to monitor the situation closely and prevent tensions from escalating into violence. It also encouraged frustrated members of the public to channel complaints about access to health care through appropriate departments or by lodging formal grievances with the commission. ALSO READ: Tip-off leads police to at least 90 illegal foreigners in abandoned Houghton property Health care eligibility in South Africa According to the SAHRC, access to health care is guaranteed to a broad group of people, including: South African citizens Refugees and asylum seekers Documented and undocumented migrants Stateless persons and children People in detention and vulnerable populations The commission highlighted that many health care facilities are already under strain due to shortages of staff and resources, but discrimination is not a lawful response. 'Health care professionals have an ethical duty to treat all patients with humanity and impartiality,' the SAHRC said. The commission reaffirmed its commitment to engaging with health authorities to address systemic challenges while upholding the rights of all individuals in South Africa. 'Manning hospital entrances and blocking people based on nationality is a violation of human rights,' the SAHRC warned. NOW READ: WATCH: Kenny Kunene closes crèche, says homeless foreigners destroying bridge in Joburg CBD
Eyewitness News
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
'We don't want to be in South Africa' – Refugees plead for relocation as CoCT moves to evict
CAPE TOWN - Hundreds of refugees living in tented camps in Cape Town say they're not refusing help from authorities but were pleading for relocation out of South Africa as the city seeks a court order to evict them. Around 360 foreign nationals, many of them asylum seekers, have been living in two temporary sites — Paint City in Bellville and Wingfield in Maitland — since 2020. About 800 of them were moved there after being removed from a church in Cape Town's city centre, where they had camped out in protest, demanding repatriation or relocation to a third country. In a video statement posted on social media on 19 June, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said that the city was now moving forward with formal eviction proceedings. ALSO READ: Foreign nationals at Bellville, Wingfield tent sites have refused all offers of help - Hill-Lewis But the group at the sites said they weren't fighting to stay in South Africa, they just didn't want to be deported to the countries they fled. Many insist they've been asking for international relocation, not local reintegration. Mayor Hill-Lewis told CapeTalk's John Maytham that efforts from agencies, including the UNHCR, had not swayed what he called "die-hards": "Even the United Nations Commission on Refugees has helped, or tried to help, but they have stubbornly insisted that they should be transported to Canada. They will only leave if they get free passage to Canada — which is obviously not going to happen." "We don't want to be here anymore. We just want the UN or someone to help us leave South Africa, but not go back to our country," said one refugee who spoke anonymously. Congolese national, Mukanda Lambert, who lives at the Wingfield site, said it was untrue that they were occupying the land unlawfully. "We didn't come here by ourselves — the very same government put us here. I don't know what game they're playing." Others who took up the offer to return to South African communities said that reintegration efforts have failed because the support offered was insufficient. "Some of us took the money, but they haven't really supported us," said a 24-year-old mother who was born in South Africa without documentation. "They only gave R2,000 per family to move and as a family of five how do you pay rent, buy food and other needs? We'd hoped they'd help us get our papers so that we can live normal lives." In the same statement published via social media, the Department of Home Affairs said the eviction formed part of a broader effort to reclaim public spaces and enforce immigration laws. "There were numerous offers made in cooperation with international agencies to relocate many of the people. Many of them took up the offers but some have refused and today we're saying enough is enough," said Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber. "The department recently launched 'Operation New Broom' to signal our commitment to enforcing the rule of law when it comes to illegal immigrants occupying public spaces." The land occupied by the camps is earmarked for possible future social housing projects in partnership with the city, according to Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson. Meanwhile, those who remain at the camps described life as increasingly dire, with a lack of sanitation leaving people to use plastic bags, makeshift structures from cardboard have been erected inside the tents and illness is common. "We live like we're not human," said one woman. "But still, we stay because there's nowhere else to go. If the eviction is successful, we'll be here waiting for the City of Cape Town to throw us out." With eviction proceedings now formally under way, many refugees said they'd have no choice but to wait on the city's next move because they had nowhere else to go.
The Citizen
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
SA can fix its borders with a TV show – here's how
If police officers knew they'd be on TV, they would do their best to make sure they're not embarrassed in front of the whole nation. Julius Malema isn't special. Controversial rock star Marilyn Manson is also having trouble getting into the UK. One must be pretty envious of a country where border control actually means something and has the desired effect. Our minister of home affairs has launched the awkwardly named Operation New Broom to deal with illegal immigration, but why do we need all that effort? We have TV, we have an audience starved for good local content, and we have the knowledge that true crime makes for compelling television. If people needed rapper Xzibit to have a TV show to get their rides pimped and we need a depressing end to our Sunday night in order to uncover corruption, why not extend that energy? ALSO READ: Home Affairs committee raises alarm over border authority underfunding Where is our South African border show? Can you imagine? There would be no need for a Bheki Cele 'stomach in – chest out' speech! If they knew they'd be on TV, the cops would make their bodies enviable just not to be embarrassed in front of the whole nation. Imagine if you then made it competitive. Which cop busts the most border crossings this week? Though this is South Africa, so it may get to a point of which cop scores the highest bribe. Whatever. In this economy, we'll have to take any injection to the budget. Gosh, what if we got the army involved too and made it a team sport. We can identify the most common time for immigration illegalities and have a live feed. Our local TV doesn't have to be relegated to dull reruns and R50 giveaways. Best of all, we already pay the cast. The extras will likely be deported so the production cost can be kept down. The newsroom can make use of the footage, so there's a win for the station there and we're pretty sure to win an Emmy. If you look at the Emmy winners from the last couple of years, surely a South African illegal immigration policing show will outdo RuPaul's Drag Race. Call the show 'Operation New Broom' for all I care, but please make it happen. ALSO READ: Home Affairs launches Operation New Broom to tackle illegal immigration I know it's sad to admit that we need a TV show to inspire some dedication to the work we desperately need done in the country, but if this is how it must happen then let it be so. And you absolutely know that there will be a spin-off as well: 'Surviving SA Cops' – teams of illegal immigrants compete to avoid being busted. Not only will it bring in the ratings but what's left of our intelligence services would welcome the insight into the latest tricks of the trade. Oh South Africa, the gold mine we sit on is not just under the ground. Ninety-nine problems and we can't make a TV show out of even one? Australian border patrol? Who cares about some Middle Eastern aunty trying to smuggle a bit of za'atar into the outback? Dog the Bounty Hunter? I don't think anybody can take a dude who introduces himself to a bunch of school kids as Uncle Dog seriously. But South African cops? Boy oh boy, do we love ourselves a good popo story. From the police officer who was delighted to be videoed on the iPhone of the driver who pays her salary to our being treated to exquisite asynchronous marching, there's entertainment value to law enforcement. That kind of stuff shouldn't be limited to TikTok and YouTube. If it's happening and its entertaining, then let the masses see it… and let those who are tasked with enforcing the law have whatever inspiration they require to get the job done. If inspiration comes from being on TV, then let's do it. What have we got to lose? NOW READ: BMA intercepts and detains over 6 000 people trying to enter or leave SA illegally
