MOSSEL BAY, Western Cape — In a coordinated effort to stabilize communities and uphold South Africa’s legal framework, the South African Police Service has intensified operational deployments in Mossel Bay and additional regions across the nation. Acting National Police Commissioner Puleng Dimpane announced the measures during a National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) media briefing held Wednesday in the Western Cape town.
The heightened law enforcement presence follows the fatal shooting of Nhlamulo Sambo. Although initial reports suggested his killing was connected to protests directed at undocumented migrants, investigators have established no evidentiary link between his death and xenophobia, tribalism, anti-immigration demonstrations, or his background as a Tsonga-speaking South African citizen.
“All criminal acts connected to these incidents remain under active investigation, and perpetrators will be located, apprehended, and prosecuted,” Dimpane affirmed.
The Acting Commissioner stressed that while citizens retain the constitutional right to assemble and express grievances, such actions must be conducted peacefully and lawfully. “No grievance, no matter how strongly felt, justifies violence, intimidation, assault, the destruction of property, looting, or threats against any person or community,” he said. “We cannot allow criminal elements to hijack legitimate concerns and turn them into acts of lawlessness.”
NATJOINTS committed to delivering ongoing, detailed briefings on the evolving security landscape, intervention strategies, and protective protocols for all residents of South Africa.
Unified Command Under Constitutional Mandate
Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, Chairperson of NATJOINTS, assured the public that state institutions retain full command of the security environment. She outlined that police, intelligence services, and security agencies are functioning in seamless coordination to preserve public order, protect life and property, uphold constitutional principles, and enforce national laws impartially.
“South Africa is governed by the Constitution and the rule of law, not by intimidation, violence, ultimatums, or mob justice,” Mosikili stated. She clarified that no person, movement, organization, or informal group possesses the legal authority to enforce laws independently, carry out unauthorized operations, intimidate communities, target individuals by nationality, or implement immigration controls outside statutory procedures.
“The responsibility for maintaining public order, combating crime and enforcing immigration legislation rests exclusively with duly authorised law enforcement agencies acting within the confines of the Constitution and the law,” she emphasized.
Recent coordinated operations have produced measurable outcomes:
- Free State: 166 individuals arrested for offenses tied to public violence and related criminal conduct
- Western Cape: Five suspects detained in connection with acts of violence and intimidation
Mosikili commended investigative units for the prompt arrest of a suspect linked to Sambo’s murder, highlighting that the rapid response demonstrates SAPS’s resolve to ensure violent offenders face judicial process.
Addressing speculation around Sambo’s death, Mosikili confirmed that, based on available police information, his killing is not connected to the recent unrest in Mossel Bay. She appealed to the public to avoid spreading unverified claims and to allow investigators to work without obstruction.
## Immigration Compliance and Enforcement Outcomes
Providing updated enforcement statistics, Mosikili reported that more than 5,000 individuals were arrested over the past three weeks for contravening the Immigration Act. Since January 1, 2026, nationwide operations have resulted in the arrest of 34,798 undocumented foreign nationals. During the preceding financial year, 76,588 such arrests were recorded.
“These arrests send a clear message that those who incite violence, encourage vigilantism, threaten communities, destroy property or undermine public order will face the full consequences of the law,” Mosikili stated.
NATJOINTS formally condemned the recent violent incidents in Mossel Bay that led to the tragic loss of two lives during activities associated with anti-foreigner demonstrations. “We will not tolerate any attempt to destabilise communities, threaten national stability, disrupt economic activity or challenge the authority of the democratic State,” she affirmed.
Mosikili reiterated that foreign nationals who enter, remain, or work in South Africa without legal authorization are in violation of the Immigration Act and subject to arrest, detention, and deportation processes as prescribed by law.
Through sustained multidisciplinary operations involving the South African Police Service, the Department of Home Affairs, the Border Management Authority, and other enforcement partners, thousands of undocumented individuals continue to be identified, processed, and repatriated in full compliance with legal procedures.
Initiatives such as Operation Shanela and other targeted interventions continue to deliver significant results in combating illegal immigration, organized crime, cross-border criminal networks, and related offenses, Mosikili concluded.