– LIMPOPO, South Africa
Limpopo police conducted a targeted inter-agency operation on Saturday, August 8, 2026, resulting in the detention of 121 undocumented foreign nationals and the arrest of 26 individuals actively sought by authorities. The operation, carried out under the framework of Operation Shanela II–Retshepheng, focused on the Apel and Mecklenburg police jurisdictions within the Sekhukhune District and was led by Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers.
Officers focused their efforts on illegal immigration, illicit mining, locating wanted persons, and related criminal activities. Teams established roadblocks, conducted inspections, and employed targeted policing tactics in collaboration with partner agencies. Detectives located and took into custody the 26 wanted suspects, who face charges ranging from serious assault and theft to rape, sexual assault, armed robbery, and stock theft.
During the same deployment, police disrupted alleged illegal mining operations and seized 22 pieces of equipment linked to these activities, including jackhammers, generators, and shovels. A coordinated roadblock near the Sefateng mine on the R37 route outside Tjibeng inspected 63 vehicles and 133 individuals, resulting in ten traffic fines totaling 21,500 rand for various road violations.
Provincial police confirmed that the undocumented foreign nationals will undergo standard verification and processing procedures in accordance with immigration laws, with deportation procedures applied where appropriate. Lieutenant General Scheepers commended the participating teams for the results achieved and underscored the province's unwavering determination to maintain intensive operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks and protecting local communities.
The arrested suspects are expected to appear before the appropriate courts in due course. This latest action is part of an ongoing series of high-visibility crime prevention campaigns across Limpopo, designed to enforce immigration laws, shut down illegal mining activities, and remove wanted criminals from the streets.