Lephalale – Five people have been arrested in Limpopo for allegedly intimidating a Nigerian businessman, inciting violence and impersonating Department of Home Affairs officials during an intelligence-driven operation in Marapong Township.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) said the multidisciplinary operation was carried out in the early hours of Monday following an investigation into an incident reported last week.
According to police, the case stems from a complaint lodged by the owner of a lounge, a Nigerian national, who alleged that on 9 July a group of community members confronted him at his business and ordered him to shut it down.
The group allegedly claimed that, as a foreign national, he had no right to operate a business in South Africa, threatened to destroy the premises and demanded that he leave the country.
Police said the complainant was later escorted to the Department of Home Affairs offices in Lephalale, where officials verified that his immigration documents were valid.
He subsequently opened an intimidation case at Lephalale Police Station.
Acting on intelligence, members of Lephalale Visible Policing, Detectives and Public Order Policing launched a tactical operation targeting those allegedly linked to the incident.
Five suspects, aged between 20 and 58, were arrested at various addresses in Marapong Township.
Police said one of the suspects will also face an additional charge relating to a separate intimidation case.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects were allegedly among those mobilising community members against undocumented foreign nationals and encouraging the unlawful removal of foreign nationals from the township.
Investigators identified the suspects through ongoing investigations, including the analysis of available evidence.
The five suspects are expected to appear in the Lephalale Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 15 July 2026, on charges related to intimidation, incitement of violence and impersonating Home Affairs officials.
The arrests come amid heightened migration enforcement and growing concern over incidents targeting foreign nationals in parts of South Africa.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
