The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, has launched Operation New Broom, a campaign aimed at arresting and deporting those without documentation.
The first action under the operation took place in District 6, Cape Town, where 25 individuals were arrested for occupying land designated for restitution to families displaced under apartheid. The initiative is part of a broader government push to restore public order and ensure compliance with immigration laws.
Using biometric technology, officials on the scene were able to verify identities and immigration status in real time, allowing for swift legal processing. According to the department, the new system drastically reduces the risk of document fraud and strengthens prosecution efforts.
“Operation New Broom is guided by our commitment to the rule of law,” said Dr Schreiber. “We will not allow illegal occupation to continue unchecked, especially not on land set aside for historic justice.”
The Minister stressed that the campaign would roll out to other urban centers in the coming weeks, combining digital tools and inter-agency cooperation.
He added a warning for undocumented immigrants: “Voluntarily deport yourself now, before we arrest and prohibit you from entering or regularising your status in South Africa.”
