BLOEMFONTEIN – Amidst the protest actions against illegal immigrants on Tuesday 30 June, a raid took place on undocumented foreign nationals at a guest house owned by a senior local politician and her Nigerian spouse.

Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae and the MEC for Community Safety, Roads and Transport led the raid on the guesthouse in Mangaung were around 28 to 29 undocumented nationals mainly from Ethiopia and Nigeria were arrested.

The guest house belongs to the deputy mayor of the Mangaung Metro, Lulama Titi Odili, and her husband who was arrested, but not charged.

“No one is above the law, regardless of political connections,” Letsoha-Mathae said about the incident.

Also read: Optoggangers eis optrede teen onwettige immigrante in Mangaung.

In a separate incident, the police found a Nigerian national with a valid passport, a South African death certificate and an ID of a deceased woman, using her particulars to apply for a visa after her death.

Letsoha-Mathae demanded a thorough investigation into the case.

During Operation Shanela in Bloemfontein yesterday, the police found undocumented foreigners, drugs and large sums of cash. A Chinese national was also arrested for lacking valid documents.

The premier warned against exploiting the immigration system and called on communities to cooperate with law enforcement.

Mbalula assured that investigations into the guest house and politically connected individuals will be pursued diligently.

Letsoha-Mathae will visit the 10111 Centre today to assess the provincial security situation with Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure.