VORSTERSHOOP– The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the North West has arrested 23 suspected undocumented foreign nationals and issued a R250,000 admission of guilt fine to a local farm owner for allegedly employing them.
The arrests were the result of an intelligence-driven operation conducted by SAPS in the Vorstershoop policing area. During the operation, police intercepted a white Isuzu truck and a white Toyota Land Cruiser single cab on the R379 gravel road.
Upon interception, several occupants fled the vehicles into nearby farms, while the driver and the farm owner were stopped by authorities. Police requested that the farmer contact the individuals who had fled, and the occupants subsequently returned voluntarily to the scene for identity verification.
Further checks conducted in conjunction with the Department of Home Affairs in Ganyesa confirmed that the suspects’ documentation was either expired or invalid. The arrested suspects range in age from 21 to 49.
In addition to the arrests, the farm owner was issued an admission of guilt fine valued at R250,000 for the alleged employment of undocumented foreign nationals.
The 23 suspects are scheduled to appear before the Ganyesa Magistrate Court on Monday, 29 June 2026.