Department of Employment and Labour, Home Affairs and SAPS Detain Undocumented Workers at Tomahawk Farm in Mpumalanga

A joint operation by the Department of Employment and Labour, the Department of Home Affairs and the South African Police Service (SAPS) has resulted in the detention of a number of undocumented foreign nationals at Tomahawk Farm in Malelane, Mpumalanga.

According to a statement released by the Department of Employment and Labour on Friday (24 July 2026), the workers were detained after failing to produce valid work permits during a compliance inspection at the farm.

“Currently, 24 July 2026, at the Tomahawk Farm in Malelane, Mpumalanga a number of illegal immigrants have been detained for failing to provide working permits. Musa Thwala, Immigration Officer, is on site addressing the workers that they are going to be verified through their systems. The operation is by the Department of Employment and Labour, Home Affairs and South African Police Service,” the department said.

Officials indicated that the detained workers would undergo verification through government systems to determine their immigration status before any further action is taken.

The Department did not immediately disclose the number of individuals detained or whether any employers would face enforcement action following the inspection.

The operation is the latest in a series of immigration and labour compliance inspections targeting South Africa’s agricultural sector.

Earlier this year, a 48-year-old farm owner and 15 undocumented foreign nationals were arrested during an immigration compliance operation conducted by SAPS at a farm in Trichardsdal, within the Maake policing precinct in Limpopo. Authorities alleged that the workers were in the country illegally, while the farm owner was arrested in connection with the employment of undocumented foreign nationals.

In another recent case in the North West province, a farm owner was fined R250,000 after a multi-agency compliance operation in the Vorstershoop area uncovered the alleged employment of undocumented foreign nationals. During that operation, officials from the Department of Home Affairs determined that 23 foreign nationals, aged between 21 and 49, were allegedly in South Africa illegally after their permits or visas had either expired or were found to be invalid. The workers were arrested on suspected immigration-related offences and were expected to appear before the Ganyesa Magistrate’s Court.

The latest operation in Malelane reflects the continued collaboration between the Department of Employment and Labour, Home Affairs and SAPS as government intensifies enforcement of immigration and labour legislation, particularly in sectors such as agriculture that employ seasonal and migrant workers.

No further information had been released by authorities at the time of publication regarding the outcome of the verification process or whether additional charges would be laid.