"STOP HARBOURING CRIMINALS": PREMIER RAMATHUBA BLASTS CITIZENS ILLEGALLY HOUSING UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS

 

Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba has strongly criticized South African citizens who accommodate undocumented immigrants, accusing them of actively enabling criminality and undermining local municipal services. 

She made the remarks during a massive joint law enforcement operation on Friday, 17 July 2026, targeting illegal immigration and undocumented structures in Greenside, Seshego, just outside Polokwane. 

Key Details of the Raid and Remarks:

• Over 330 Arrests: The high-visibility operation—conducted by the SAPS, Department of Home Affairs, and Department of Health—led to the arrest of more than 330 undocumented immigrants in the Capricorn District.

• Blaming Local Landlords: Premier Ramathuba did not hold back, pointing the finger at South African beneficiaries of RDP housing. She stated: "The people who are the enablers of criminality,nality harbouring criminals in backrooms,ckroom are our fellow South African citizens. We build a beautiful RDP house for you. Instead,nstead you build back rooms, connect electricity illegally, connect water illegally, and accommodate undocumented immigrants."

• Expanding the Crackdown: Acting Limpopo Provincial Police Commissioner Major General Jan Scheepers welcomed the success of the Seshego raid and confirmed that similar operations are being rolled out and expanded across all other districts in the province. 

Authorities have urged communities to utilize their constitutional right to raise concerns or protest lawfully, while warning landlords that they will face legal consequences for harboring individuals without proper legal documentation.

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Do you agree with Premier Ramathuba that local landlords who illegally rent out backrooms to undocumented migrants should be held legally responsible for enabling criminality?

Please share your thoughts in the comments below.