Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba calling on communities to stop providing illegal accommodation and assist law enforcement in tackling crime.
Image: File
Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba has blamed South Africans for enabling undocumented foreign nationals to live in the province by renting out backyard rooms and providing illegal accommodation.
Ramathuba made the remarks on Friday morning during a media briefing following an operation targeting undocumented immigrants in Polokwane.
She was joined by Limpopo acting provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Jan Scheepers, officials from the Department of Home Affairs and representatives from the Department of Health.
Her comments come amid growing anti-illegal immigration protests across the country, with some groups calling for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa.
Ramathuba said the province would focus on addressing its own challenges and expand operations to rural areas.
“We are going to deal with our own problems and resolve our own problems,” she said.
She said authorities would engage traditional leaders in rural communities to address concerns around undocumented people living in villages without being known or registered.
“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 accused some South Africans of providing accommodation to undocumented immigrants while benefiting from government housing.
“I can tell you, the people who are the enablers of criminals, harbouring criminals in their backyards, are our own African citizens,” she said.
“We hand over a beautiful RDP house to you… We allocate it so that you can have a better life for your children. Instead, you build backyard rooms, illegally connect electricity and water, and accommodate undocumented immigrants.”
Ramathuba confirmed 339 suspects had been arrested during the operation, 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,” she said.
She criticised South Africans who participate in protests against illegal immigration while allegedly enabling undocumented people to stay in the country.
“You wake up in the morning as a citizen and join marches saying President Cyril Ramaphosa is doing nothing about illegal immigrants, when you are the one harbouring undocumented people, including those wanted by law enforcement agencies.”
Ramathuba said authorities conducted 478 searches during the operation, resulting in 339 arrests.
She added that non-compliant spaza shops had been closed and some owners arrested.
Ramathuba also raised concerns about the illegal cigarette trade, saying it was damaging the economy and contributing to job losses.
“Our own companies that employ many people are shutting down because of this illicit cigarette business, which is being supported by us, South African citizens,” she said.
The premier called on communities to report criminal activity and said the operations would 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.”
Ramathuba also claimed that some organisers of anti-immigration protests were receiving protection fees from undocumented foreign nationals to prevent attacks on their businesses or homes.
“Some of you who are organising marches, we have been told by undocumented people that they pay you so that when there is a march and vigilantism happens, they are protected,” Ramathuba alleged.
She emphasised that foreign nationals entering South Africa must follow immigration laws and obtain 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,” Ramathuba said.
She said undocumented immigration had placed pressure on public services, including healthcare, because authorities often did not know the status of people accessing services.
Meanwhile, Scheepers said the operation would be expanded to other districts across Limpopo.
“All the other districts are also conducting operations, although not necessarily at the same level. We will listen to our people,” he said.
Scheepers acknowledged that citizens had a constitutional right to protest but urged communities to do so 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,” he said.
“We are serious about the safety of this province and its economic growth. Together, we will make Limpopo a better province for our people.”
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