The South African Police Service in the Northern Cape has warned that only authorised officials may conduct identity document inspections, following government concerns about groups unlawfully demanding identity checks on foreign nationals amid heightened immigration enforcement. Seven people were arrested in Polokwane after posing as Home Affairs officials and carrying out illegal identity checks, while the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration condemned vigilantism and stressed that such activities are unlawful and will be prosecuted.

Official Response To Unauthorised Identity Checks

The SAPS Northern Cape stated that individuals taking immigration enforcement into their own hands threaten both public order and the rights of foreign nationals. “The SAPS wishes to emphasise that only duly authorised law enforcement officials, acting within the confines of the law, may request and verify identity documents during the execution of their official duties,” SAPS Northern Cape said in an official statement.

Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi also noted ongoing incidents where persons impersonate Home Affairs officials in order to target foreign nationals and businesses for illegal checks or extortion. She cautioned that such conduct undermines state authority and jeopardises community safety. The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration further reiterated, “Government reiterates that the management of immigration, border management, deportation and facilitated repatriation is the exclusive responsibility of the State, and no individual or group has the authority to take the law into their own hands or to intimidate, threaten or unlawfully remove any person from any community.”

Migration Management And Public Communications

This warning comes as the South African government implements a Comprehensive Approach for Migration Management, announced in June, which prioritises strengthening borders, enforcing immigration law, addressing corruption, and closing regulatory loopholes, according to a Cabinet statement.

Officials have also cautioned against the spread of unverified migration-related information. According to government spokespersons, misinformation risks damaging social cohesion and public trust by inflaming community tensions and leading to unlawful actions. The recent Polokwane arrests for impersonation indicate active law enforcement efforts to deter unauthorised actions and restore proper migration oversight.

Further action against illegal identity checks is expected as enforcement efforts intensify nationwide, with continued appeals from government officials to respect lawful procedures and official authority.