Stop renting backyard rooms, Limpopo premier says as immigration operation nets 339 arrests

Ramathuba spoke during a media briefing following an operation targeting undocumented immigrants in Polokwane. She confirmed that the operation involved 478 searches and resulted in 339 arrests, including a person allegedly wanted for murder and several housebreaking offences.

“One of those arrested is a hardcore criminal who has been wanted for murder and a number of housebreaking robberies around the province. He was residing in a backyard room provided by a South African citizen,”

Premier blames citizens for enabling undocumented migrants

At the briefing Ramathuba blamed some South Africans for enabling undocumented foreign nationals by renting out backyard rooms and providing illegal accommodation. She said this practice included illegally building backyard rooms and making illegal connections to electricity and water.

“I can tell you, the people who are the enablers of criminals, harbouring criminals in their backyards, are our own African citizens,”

she said.

Ramathuba also accused some citizens of benefiting from government housing while using their RDP properties to create illegal accommodation.

Calls for community cooperation and rural engagement

Ramathuba said authorities would engage traditional leaders in rural communities to address concerns about undocumented people living in villages without being known or registered. She said:

“We are still going to go to those villages, have meetings and dialogue with our traditional leaders and deal with this issue – to say, how do you have somebody residing in your village who is not recognised and is not known?”

She urged communities to report criminal activity and said operations will continue across the province:

“Where you see acts of criminality, report them. We are here, and we have dealt with the challenges raised by communities today. This is not only for today – we will continue coming.”

Police say operations will expand

Joining Ramathuba at the briefing was acting provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Jan Scheepers, officials from the Department of Home Affairs and representatives from the Department of Health. Scheepers said the operation would be expanded to other districts across Limpopo and that while citizens have a constitutional right to protest, such protest should remain within the law.

“Being in this country without proper documents is illegal. It is our mandate to act, and we are not going to leave any stone unturned,”

Scheepers said.

Allegations of protection fees and economic concerns

Ramathuba said some organisers of anti-immigration protests were allegedly receiving protection fees from undocumented foreign nationals to prevent attacks on their businesses or homes. She also raised concerns about the illicit cigarette trade, saying it was damaging the economy and contributing to job losses.

On immigration compliance, Ramathuba emphasised the need for proper documentation:

“There is no way in the world where you can just wake up in the morning and go to another country without following the laws and ensuring that you have proper documentation,”

she said.