South African Police Service's Operation Shanela leads to significant arrests of illegal foreigners.
Image: Supplied / SAPS
The South African Police Service (South African Police Service) says its intensified nationwide crackdown on illegal immigration has resulted in more than *29 000 arrests so far this year*, with thousands more detained in the past week alone under Operation Shanela.
Police confirmed that 1 891 illegal foreigners were arrested in the past week during high-density policing operations conducted across all provinces.
The arrests form part of ongoing enforcement activities under Operation Shanela, which police describe as a key initiative aimed at combating crime, enforcing immigration laws, and disrupting broader criminal networks.
“As part of ongoing high-density operations conducted across all provinces, a total of 1 891 illegal foreigners were arrested during the past week alone for contravention of the Immigration Act,” Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said.
"Since 01 January 2026 until 17 May 2026, SAPS has arrested a total of 29 371 illegal foreigners during various intelligence-driven operations, tracing operations, roadblocks, stop-and-search operations and multi-disciplinary law enforcement initiatives.”
The police service also noted that between April 2025 and March 2026, more than 76 588 arrests were recorded nationwide as part of broader enforcement efforts targeting undocumented migration and associated criminal activity.
SAPS said Operation Shanela continues to play a central role in its crime-fighting strategy, contributing not only to immigration-related arrests but also to the recovery of unlicensed firearms, confiscation of drugs, and the apprehension of wanted suspects.
“Operation Shanela remains one of the organisation’s key crime combating initiatives and continues to yield positive results in the fight against serious and violent crime,” Mathe said.
Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane reiterated that police will continue to intensify operations while ensuring all actions comply with the law.
“Police will continue to intensify operations to ensure that those found to be in the country illegally are processed in accordance with the law.”
SAPS has also urged communities to support law enforcement efforts and avoid vigilantism, intimidation, or violence against foreign nationals, stressing that all operations must uphold constitutional principles and public order.
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