Limpopo police have warned residents against taking immigration enforcement into their own hands by conducting identity document inspections at farms, businesses and other premises, saying such actions are unlawful and could lead to arrests.
The warning follows reports of members of the public attempting to verify the legal status of foreign nationals themselves amid growing tensions in some communities over undocumented immigration.
Acting provincial police commissioner Major-General Jan Scheepers said only authorised law enforcement agencies have the legal authority to conduct compliance inspections and immigration-related operations.
He urged residents who suspect that undocumented foreign nationals are living or working in their communities to report the matter to the police instead of confronting individuals or carrying out their own inspections.
Scheepers warned that anyone found conducting unauthorised inspections, intimidating people or attempting to enforce immigration laws without legal authority could face criminal charges.
The warning comes as immigration has become an increasingly contentious issue in parts of Limpopo, with some community groups calling for stricter enforcement against undocumented migrants. In recent months, concerns over undocumented immigration have featured prominently during community protests.
Police urged communities to continue working with law enforcement through lawful channels and to avoid taking the law into their own hands, adding that reports received from the public would be investigated by the relevant authorities.