FREE STATE PREMIER RESPONDS TO PROTESTS: COMMITS TO ADDRESSING UNDOCUMENTED MIGRATION
By: Neo Ntsele
On 30 June 2026, the Free State Provincial Government, led by Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae, officially received a memorandum of demands from the organisers of the national march against illegal immigration.
She praised the marchers for their discipline and peaceful behaviour.
“You have demonstrated to the nation that we can advocate for change without resorting to violence,” Premier Letsoha-Mathae stated.
The Premier acknowledged the concerns raised and confirmed that the government would respond within the 14-day deadline.
She urged women to avoid entering into fake marriages with illegal foreigners, cautioning that such actions violate immigration laws and put individuals at risk of exploitation.
Based on police intelligence, the Premier and MEC for Community Safety, Roads and Transport, Jabu Mbalula, led a raid at a guest house in Mangaung, resulting in the arrest of 28–29 undocumented foreign nationals, primarily from Ethiopia and Nigeria.
The guest house is owned by a senior local politician, whose Nigerian husband was also arrested.
“No one is above the law, regardless of political ties,” the Premier asserted.
In a separate incident, authorities discovered a Nigerian national with a valid passport, a South African death certificate, and an ID of a deceased woman, using her details to apply for a visa posthumously.
The Premier called for a comprehensive investigation.
Yesterday’s Operation Shanela raid in Bloemfontein resulted in the capture of undocumented foreigners, drugs, and large amounts of cash.
A Chinese national was also detained for not having valid documents.
Premier Letsoha-Mathae cautioned against exploiting the immigration system and urged communities to support law enforcement.
MEC Mbalula assured that investigations into the guest house and politically connected individuals would be conducted thoroughly.
The Premier visited the 10111 Centre today to evaluate the provincial security situation with the Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (PROVJOINTS)
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