Police Deputy Minister Mathale warns against sheltering undocumented foreign nationals
Deputy Minister of Police Cassel Mathale has cautioned community members against sheltering undocumented foreign nationals.
Image: Social Media
Deputy Minister of Police Cassel Mathale has urged community members not to shelter undocumented foreign nationals, warning that doing so undermines law enforcement and contributes to crime.
Speaking at an Inter-Ministerial Crime Prevention Community Engagement at the Mmabatho Civic Centre in Mahikeng, North West, on Tuesday, Mathale reminded residents that harbouring or employing undocumented individuals is a criminal offence.
“Anyone accommodating undocumented foreign nationals must be arrested. If you are renting back rooms and collecting rent from them, you will face arrest. This also applies to those renting spaza shops to illegal, undocumented foreign nationals in possession of fraudulent documents,” Mathale said.
He further stressed that business owners employing undocumented foreign nationals should also be held accountable.
Mathale also instructed police officers to take a firm stance against illegal shebeens selling illicit alcohol, emphasizing that law enforcement should show no leniency toward those engaged in activities that endanger communities.
“We must not negotiate with people who break the law,” he said.
The Deputy Minister further instructed police officers to take a firm approach against illegal shebeens selling illicit alcohol.
Image: Social Media
Tuesday’s engagement brought together government leadership, key stakeholders and community members, with a focus on strengthening cooperation and improving crime prevention strategies.
According to the Police Ministry, the meeting laid the groundwork for more coordinated and decisive action.
The crime prevention ministerial imbizo aimed to create a platform for direct engagement between police, provincial authorities and communities to address persistent challenges, including gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) and other serious crimes affecting the area.
South African Police Service (SAPS) Divisional Commissioner for Visible Policing and Operations, Lieutenant General Maropeng Johanna Mamothethi, emphasised that tackling crime requires collective effort.
“Crime is a shared challenge. We need the community to assist in the fight against crime; the police will integrate law enforcement with social crime prevention,” Mamothethi said.
Saturday Star