HOME AFFAIRS Minister Leon Schreiber warns those who are in Mzansi without proper documentation to self-deport before his department reaches them.
Schreiber led "Operation New Broom" that unleashed its first immigration enforcement raids leading to the arrest of 95 illegal immigrants to be deported in Pretoria and Nelson Mandela Bay on Friday, 11 July.
In a media statement on 14 July, Schreiber said: "Operation New Broom demonstrates our commitment to work in a focused manner to restore the rule of law.
"Our message to people who are in our country illegally is clear. They should voluntarily self-deport now before Home Affairs deports you and bans you from entering South Africa altogether."
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The operation utilises biometric technology to verify the immigration status of suspects, thereby eliminating the risk of fraudulent documents and strengthening legal cases.
"The benefits of our commitment to digital transformation are being felt across all areas of the Home Affairs' mandate, including through strides made by the Border Management Authority at the borders and Home Affairs inland," said Schreiber.
He said Operation New Broom is guided by Home Affairs' commitment to the rule of law.
"It is this commitment that both motivates us to do more to combat illegality and uphold due process and legal compliance in the process."
Home Affairs launched Operation New Broom in May as part of its drive to intensify enforcement operations in urban hot spots.
The operation seeks to arrest, convict, and deport illegal immigrants occupying public spaces.
