Rustenburg – Police in the North West have warned about the security threat posed by foreign nationals involved in serious crimes, including dealing in illicit drugs, possession of unlicensed firearms, illegal mining, murders, robberies, and theft of livestock.
North West police spokesperson Colonel Adéle Myburgh said as part of the ongoing Vala Umgodi operations, the police on Friday, (2 May 2025), arrested 13 men between the ages of 20 and 47 in Geelhout Park in Tlhabane and Extension 9, Boitekong, for being in the country illegally.
“One illegal immigrant, aged 44, was also charged for being in possession of a dangerous weapon and two more men, aged 42 and 25, were arrested for possession of drugs,” Colonel Myburgh said.
“Police confiscated a variety of drugs, including cocaine and dagga.
“All mentioned suspects will appear in the Bafokeng and Mankwe Magistrate’s Courts respectively.”
Colonel Myburgh said the suspects are from different countries, including Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Ethiopia, Swaziland, Nigeria and Lesotho.
Commenting on the situation, Acting Provincial Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, said: “It is deeply concerning that almost every week the police in the province are arresting large numbers of foreign nationals for not only being in the country illegally but also for a variety of crimes”.
Major General Asaneng said the crimes committed by foreign nationals included dealing in drugs, illegal possession of drugs, unlicensed firearms, illegal mining, murders, robberies, theft of livestock, and a raft of other serious crimes.
The major general warned that these crimes threaten the territorial integrity, personal safety, and economy and undermine the authority of the state.
Major General Asaneng added: “The involvement of foreign nationals in the commission of crime, whether aided or abetted by South Africans, poses a serious threat to national security and as such requires a collaborative effort by civil society and various government security and social departments”.
The major general said these departments include the South African National Defence Force, Border Management Authority, Customs/South African Revenue Services, Home Affairs Immigration, Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI), and the National Prosecuting Authority.
