-Staff Writer / Wed, 17 Dec 2025
The Department of Home Affairs has arrested seven Kenyan nationals who were allegedly working illegally in Johannesburg while in possession of tourist visas.
According to Home Affairs spokesperson Carli Van Wyk, the arrests followed a lawful, intelligence-driven operation carried out in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies.
“The operation was based on intelligence reports indicating that Kenyan nationals had entered South Africa on tourist visas and unlawfully taken up employment at a centre processing applications of so-called refugees to the United States,” said Van Wyk.
She explained that the individuals were found to be in clear violation of South Africa’s immigration laws, as their visa conditions explicitly prohibit employment.
During the operation, officials discovered that the seven Kenyan nationals were actively working despite their visa status. They were arrested, issued with deportation orders, and will be barred from re-entering South Africa for a period of five years.
Van Wyk emphasised that the operation was routine and conducted in line with established procedures that have seen Home Affairs significantly increase deportations over the past 18 months.
“No United States officials were arrested, the operation did not take place at a diplomatic site, and no members of the public or prospective refugees were harassed,” she said.
The department said the arrests form part of government efforts to curb the long-standing abuse of South Africa’s immigration and visa systems and to enforce the rule of law without fear or favour.
Home Affairs also noted that the presence of foreign officials allegedly coordinating with undocumented workers has raised concerns around diplomatic protocol. As a result, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has initiated formal engagements with both the United States and Kenya to address the matter.
The department reiterated South Africa’s commitment to working with international partners, including the United States, to combat illegal immigration and visa abuse.
News Junction (Gold Standard)