14 undocumented immigrants arrested during Emalahleni anti-immigration march

Mpumalanga police arrested 14 undocumented immigrants after checking the immigration status of people during an anti-immigration march in Emalahleni that drew about 1,500 participants.

March monitored by police

Police said the march started at a park in Vosman and proceeded to the Witbank Central Business District in the Emalahleni Local Municipality in Nkangala District. The protest was monitored by police from about 9am and, according to the provincial police, unfolded “peacefully and without major incidents.”

Arrests and processing

Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli said members of the South African Police Service and other law enforcers were deployed “for the safety of all, including road users and members of the public.” The march ended with the handing over of a memorandum to the Executive Mayor of Emalahleni Local Municipality.

Mdhluli said foreign nationals were processed by the Department of Home Affairs and that “it was during this time when it was discovered that amongst them, 14 had no valid documentation to be in South Africa hence they were apprehended then charged accordingly.”

Police message and wider context

Acting provincial police commissioner Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi said police, together with other law enforcement agencies, would continue to be vigilant and ensure that people obey the law. He warned against vigilantism, saying:

“While communities have the right to raise their concerns through lawful and peaceful means, we strongly discourage any form of vigilantism. We encourage people to work together with law enforcement agencies and report criminal activities through the proper legal channels.”

Related national concerns

The demonstration in Emalahleni was linked to broader anti-migrant protests organised by the March and March and Abahambe movements, which have called for stricter enforcement of immigration laws and action against undocumented foreign nationals.

The arrests in Mpumalanga come amid a national debate about illegal immigration, border control and law enforcement. The source reported that acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane issued a warning against lawlessness amid protests targeting illegal foreigners, reiterating that “no one or group is allowed to take the law into their own hands.”

Recent incidents noted by police

The source also referenced recent unrest in other parts of South Africa, including violence in Mossel Bay’s KwaNonqaba area where shacks were set alight and several people were displaced, and separate deaths reported during the period of unrest. It also noted that Ghana began a voluntary repatriation programme in which 295 nationals returned home amid concerns over safety and anti-immigration sentiment.

Police said they will remain deployed to ensure public safety and to act against criminality through established legal channels.