The Department of Home Affairs’ Operation New Broom has nabbed 73 illegal foreign nationals in Limpopo.
“On Thursday, 7 August 2025, the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, led Operation New Broom to the province of Limpopo. The operation led to the arrest for deportation of 73 illegal immigrants,” the Ministry of Home Affairs said.
Schreiber launched Operation New Broom earlier this year, with the aim of intensifying enforcement operations across the country as part of Home Affairs’ intensified efforts to restore the rule of law.
“The growing impact of Operation New Broom, which utilises biometric technology to speed up verifications and focuses on hotspot areas around the country, demonstrates the commitment of Home Affairs to enforce the rule of law. The message to those who are in our country illegally is simple: voluntarily self-deport now before we arrest you and ban you from entering South Africa legally in future,” said the Minister.
Cabinet welcomed the launch of the technology-driven initiative in May.
READ | Cabinet welcomes the launch of Operation New Broom
The latest multi-stakeholder operation, involving the Department of Home Affairs, the South African Police Service, the Department of Social Development and the Department of Labour and Employment, took place at a mall in the Lebowakgomo area in the Capricorn District.
During the operation, multiple businesses were found to be employing foreign nationals that had no documentation to be in South Africa legally.
According to the ministry, the 73 are currently being processed for deportation. - SAnews.gov.za
