Home Affairs Arrests Hundreds in Mayfair Immigration Crackdown, Employers Also Targeted

South Africa’s immigration enforcement campaign has continued in Mayfair, Johannesburg, where Department of Home Affairs officials have reportedly arrested hundreds of undocumented foreign nationals during a new operation targeting immigration violations.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber announced the operation in a post on X, sharing video footage of the enforcement activities. According to the minister, hundreds of undocumented foreign nationals were arrested for deportation, while employers suspected of hiring workers without the necessary documentation were also taken into custody.

Schreiber said the government remained committed to enforcing immigration laws and restoring compliance with the country’s legal requirements.

The operation forms part of the department’s broader strategy to strengthen immigration enforcement through coordinated inspections and the use of biometric technology to verify individuals’ identities and immigration status.

The initiative is being carried out under Operation New Broom, which was launched in May 2025. Its first operation took place in District Six, Cape Town, as authorities began intensifying efforts to identify people suspected of residing in South Africa unlawfully and prepare cases in accordance with immigration legislation.

Mayfair has previously been the focus of a major immigration operation. In November 2025, more than 600 undocumented foreign nationals were reportedly arrested during a joint enforcement exercise involving the Department of Home Affairs, the South African Police Service and Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department.

Beyond targeting undocumented foreign nationals, authorities have also increased workplace inspections to identify businesses suspected of employing workers who do not possess the required permits or documentation.

Employers who fail to comply with immigration legislation may face legal consequences, depending on the circumstances and findings of the relevant investigations.

The latest operation comes amid ongoing public debate about immigration enforcement in South Africa. While some residents have called for stricter enforcement of immigration laws, concerns have also been raised about attacks on foreign nationals and businesses owned by immigrants.

The government therefore faces continued scrutiny over how immigration laws are enforced while ensuring that people’s rights are respected and that enforcement operations do not contribute to unlawful discrimination or violence.

However, Schreiber did not disclose the precise number of people arrested during the latest Mayfair operation. Details about the employers detained and the specific allegations against them have also not been made public.

Those arrested are expected to be processed in accordance with applicable immigration laws and legal procedures.

For now, the Mayfair operation represents another step in the government’s ongoing efforts to address immigration violations and investigate businesses suspected of failing to comply with employment and immigration requirements.

https://x.com/leon_schreib/status/2113584393675551085?s=46

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