South African authorities have arrested 127 undocumented foreign nationals as part of an intensified nationwide crackdown on illegal immigration, with those found to be in violation of the country’s immigration laws set to be deported.

The arrests were reportedly made during coordinated operations by the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Department of Home Affairs across several parts of the country.

Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber said the operation underscored the government’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws and restoring the rule of law.

“Operation New Broom” carried out in Pretoria resulted in the arrest of dozens of undocumented migrants who are now facing lawful deportation, according to the minister.

In a separate intelligence-led operation, code-named ‘Operation Prosper’, police arrested 24 undocumented foreign nationals in Stilfontein during a raid targeting illegal mining activities.

One additional suspect was arrested for allegedly attempting to bribe law enforcement officers.

Police said the suspects were allegedly involved in extracting gold-bearing material and transporting it to illegal processing facilities.

In Limpopo Province, security agencies conducted stop-and-search operations, roadblocks, compliance inspections and immigration checks across all five districts.

The operation led to the repatriation of 115 undocumented Zimbabwean nationals, while 12 others, nine Ethiopians and three Ghanaians, were arrested for contravening South Africa’s Immigration Act.

Authorities also arrested three employers accused of illegally employing undocumented foreign nationals.

The latest operation followed an earlier nationwide enforcement exercise in mid-July, during which more than 1,200 suspects, including 159 undocumented foreign nationals, were arrested in Gauteng Province under “Operation Shanela.”

The renewed immigration crackdown comes amid heightened public concern over illegal migration and weeks after anti-immigration protests in parts of South Africa that were marked by violence, intimidation and looting.

Despite the ongoing enforcement campaign, President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned attacks on migrants, insisting that foreign nationals should not be blamed for unemployment, crime or shortcomings in public service delivery.

Meanwhile, Nigeria and Ghana have called on the African Union (AU) to take a firmer stance against attacks on their citizens and other foreign nationals living in South Africa.