The Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) arrested 20 individuals for allegedly contravening the Immigration Act during targeted law-enforcement operations in Bronkhorstspruit and Atteridgeville on 24 August 2026.
According to the TMPD, the operations were conducted by members from Region 7 and Region 3 as part of efforts to strengthen law enforcement and crime prevention in different parts of Tshwane.
In Bronkhorstspruit, TMPD Region 7 members conducted business inspections and crime-prevention operations in the area. The operation resulted in 16 individuals being arrested for alleged contraventions of the Immigration Act.
The team also issued 59 AARTO infringement notices and inspected numerous buildings during the operation.
The TMPD did not provide further details on the nationalities of those arrested or specify the exact immigration-related offences they were allegedly found to have committed.
Bronkhorstspruit resident Althea Mahlangu said law-enforcement operations were important but called for greater transparency about what happens after arrests are made.
“I think law enforcement operations are important because they help ensure that businesses and people are complying with the law. At the same time, the community needs to know what happens after people are arrested. There should be transparency so residents understand whether the operations are addressing broader crime and safety concerns,” she said.
A similar operation was conducted by TMPD Region 3 Sector 1 members in Atteridgeville on the same day.
The operation focused on illegal immigration and general law enforcement and resulted in four additional arrests for alleged contraventions of the Immigration Act.
A further 29 infringement notices were issued during the Atteridgeville operation.
Combined, the two operations resulted in 20 arrests and 88 AARTO infringement notices being issued.
The operations form part of the TMPD’s ongoing law-enforcement activities aimed at addressing unlawful activities and ensuring compliance with legislation in Tshwane.
However, the department did not indicate whether any of the businesses inspected were found to be employing or accommodating undocumented individuals, or whether further charges were laid against any of those arrested.
Thabang Maluleke a Atteridgeville business owner said inspections could be challenging for businesses but acknowledged the need for authorities to conduct compliance checks.
“Regular inspections can be difficult for businesses, especially if they disrupt normal operations, but I understand why authorities need to check that businesses are complying with the law. What is important is that the inspections are conducted fairly and that business owners are given clear information about what is expected of them,” he said.
Another Atteridgeville resident Leroy Shabangu said enforcement operations should be conducted while respecting the rights of those affected.
“People want to see law enforcement taking action when laws are being broken, but these operations should also be handled in a way that respects everyone’s rights. It would be helpful for the authorities to explain what happens to people after they are arrested and whether there are follow-up investigations or legal processes,” he said.
Attempts to get further information about the arrests, including the nationalities of those arrested, the specific Immigration Act offences involved, the circumstances surrounding the arrests, the outcome of the cases and whether the individuals were handed over to the Department of Home Affairs for further processing.
No response had been received.
