"Hundreds arrested at Lebombo border post on Tuesday" - Nzuza

The warning comes as the Department ramps up its efforts to tighten its controls at borders across the country.

Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza visited the Lebombo border post between South Africa and Mozambique on Tuesday.

Nzuza says there’s an alarming number of locals helping undocumented immigrants to cross into the country.

“They must understand that it is illegal to aid illegal people who come into the county and they should not be selling the sovereignty of the country for cheap money. That is wrong, it shouldn’t be done, and they must stop doing it.”

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Last year, the Department beefed up efforts in preparation for the influx of people expected back into the country after the festive break.

More immigration and health officials, as well as the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), were added across the various land ports.

All 20 borders have since been closed amid the spike in coronavirus cases, with some exceptions.

“The programme has been very successful and we’ve been able to experience the success of the programme when we went to the Lebombo border post yesterday when we saw the collaboration in action,” Nzuza said.

“Forces of the South African National Defence Force and the immigration officials as well as members of the SAPS were able to successfully arrest hundreds of illegal immigrants who were coming into the country in an illegal manner.

“We really request for the communities to work with the South African National Defence Force as well as officials of Home Affairs to not protect the illegal immigrants,” he added.

Nzuza is expected to visit several other border posts in the coming days.