Bloemfontein – The Nigerian husband of a prominent politician has reportedly been arrested in Bloemfontein after police allegedly discovered about 28 undocumented foreign nationals at his guesthouse. A South African woman’s death certificate was also reportedly found during the raid.
According to IOL, the arrest was confirmed by Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae on Tuesday. The discovery has prompted a police and immigration investigation into the circumstances surrounding the occupants of the property and the official documents allegedly found in the suspect’s possession.
Letsoha-Mathae said police found between 28 and 29 people inside the guesthouse, where they had allegedly been staying for about seven days without leaving the premises.
Phil Odili, The Nigerian drug lord & the husband of the Mangaung Municipality Deputy Executive Mayor Lulama Titi Odili who was arrested for hiding foreigners operates in a guesthouse called tripleD where they manufacture drugs! His cases are always withdrawn by NPA in Free State. pic.twitter.com/lvOthHoB6R
— Man’s NOT Barry Roux (@AdvoBarryRoux) June 30, 2026
“It’s a guesthouse where we had about 28 to 29 people that were arrested because they were hiding in this place,” she said.
“When we enquire for how long have they been here, we’re told that it’s about seven days that they’ve been hiding in this place. They’re not going out. They’re not doing anything there. But there is someone who’s coming in bringing some foodstuffs for them.”
The premier described the case as particularly concerning because the guesthouse belongs to a senior politician in the Mangaung district.
[BREAKING NEWS] Husband of a prominent politician in Bloemfontein has been arrested for allegedly housing undocumented foreign nationals. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/Ii0Mvy8xtk
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) June 30, 2026
She confirmed that the politician’s husband had been taken into custody but had not yet been formally charged.
“The husband is now… not yet being charged. He’ll be transported to the nearest police station. We’ll know later today what charges he’ll be facing,” she said.
In a separate incident, police in Limpopo arrested a 48-year-old farm owner who was allegedly employing undocumented foreign nationals.
According to The Citizen, the farm owner and several employees were arrested on Monday during a compliance inspection at a farm in Trichardsdal.
Under the Employment Services Act, foreign nationals may not be employed in South Africa without a valid work permit issued in terms of the Immigration Act.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) said officers were conducting routine compliance inspections when they found a number of workers on duty at the farm.
“The police were conducting compliance duties when they entered a local farm and found a number of employees on duty. Upon inspection, police requested identities and immigration documentation after it was discovered that some of the employees were not South African citizens,” SAPS said.
Twelve employees were unable to produce valid immigration documents and were confirmed to be undocumented foreign nationals.
They were arrested at the scene along with the farm owner, who now faces charges of allegedly harbouring and employing undocumented foreign nationals.
Both incidents form part of ongoing law enforcement operations aimed at enforcing South Africa’s immigration and labour legislation.
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
