South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs launched another phase of Operation New Broom in Cape Town on November 28, 2025. The initiative, spearheaded by Minister Leon Schreiber, resulted in the arrest of dozens of undocumented immigrants during coordinated raids.
Writing on X, South Africa Home Affairs minister, Leon Schreiber said:
Operation New Broom again swept through Cape Town, arresting dozens more illegal immigrants. Once deported, theyāre also banned from legally reentering South Africa. If youāre here illegally, go home now – before we catch you and similarly ban you from legally entering in future.
Timeline of Operation New Broom (Key Raids)
- 21 May 2025 ā District 6, Cape Town: Official launch; first raid on restitution land ā 25 arrests
- 23 May 2025 ā Pretoria East (Plastic View & Cemetery View informal settlements): Dozens arrested
- Late May ā Early June 2025 ā Citrusdal, Western Cape: Crime-hotspot sweeps ā dozens arrested and deported
- 18 June 2025 ā Wingfield & Paint City, Bellville (Cape Town): Joint eviction and immigration enforcement
- 1 July 2025 ā Roodepoort, Gauteng: Business and hotspot inspections ā dozens arrested
- 11 July 2025 ā Nelson Mandela Bay (Gqeberha), Eastern Cape: First major Eastern Cape raid; warehouse and store checks ā 95 arrests and court-ordered deportations
- 7 August 2025 ā Lebowakgomo, Limpopo: Mall and business raids with multi-department support ā 73 arrests
- 19 November 2025 ā Mayfair, Johannesburg: Largest single operation to date ā 391 suspected undocumented immigrants arrested
- 28 November 2025 ā Cape Town (Civic Centre area & informal settlements): Nighttime sweep with LEAP and police ā dozens arrested, to be deported and permanently banned from legal re-entry
Operation ongoing nationwide, with future phases planned for Durban and other metros.
Public reactions on X highlight mixed sentimentsāpraise for tackling unemployment drivers, calls to raid affluent areas like Camps Bay, and demands for stricter employer penalties. As deportations proceed, Operation New Broom signals a firmer grip on South Africa’s immigration enforcement, aiming to deter future unauthorized entries. Stay tuned for updates on this evolving crackdown.
