BLOEMFONTEIN – The husband of the Mangaung Metro deputy mayor appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday on charges of contravening the Immigration Act.

Guesthouse owner Lyndon Adentuji Odili (56), the Nigerian husband to Lulama Titi Odili, was arrested following a raid on his Raymond Mhlaba Street establishment on 30 June, where 18 undocumented foreign nationals were found on the premises.

The raid was conducted by police led by Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae and MEC for Community Safety, Roads and Transport Jabu Mbalula, following a tip-off from a member of the public.

Also read: Local politician’s husband arrested after rain on guesthouse in Bloemfontein.

According to information received by law enforcement, the individuals were allegedly being hidden at the guesthouse in response to a multidisciplinary operation targeting undocumented foreigners during a planned national shutdown on the same day.

The 18 foreign nationals, who did not have legal authorisation to reside in South Africa, were taken into custody. Separate dockets have been opened against them for contraventions of the Immigration Act, illegal entry and illegal stay within the Republic.

Odili faces 18 counts of harbouring, aiding, abetting, assisting, enabling or helping illegal foreigners in contravention of the Immigration Act.

He was granted R10 000 bail and his case has been postponed to 31 July for further investigation.

Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thabang Lesia commended the members for their swift response, stating that business and property owners who deliberately bypass immigration laws to harbour undocumented individuals will face the full might of the law.