Pretoria: Cabinet has welcomed the launch of Operation New Broom, the latest technology-driven initiative by the Department of Home Affairs to combat illegal immigration. Home Affairs Minister, Dr. Leon Schreiber, launched the initiative last week.
According to South African Government News Agency, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni addressed the media in Cape Town on Thursday, emphasizing the government’s commitment to fighting crime and maintaining the rule of law. Ntshavheni explained that the initiative leverages technology to arrest, convict, and deport illegal immigrants from the country.
The operation’s first phase resulted in the arrest of 25 suspects who occupied land illegally in District 6, Cape Town. Ntshavheni highlighted that the initiative uses biometric technology to verify the immigration status of suspects, reducing the risk of fraudulent documents and streamlining court proceedings.
The first operation, part of an ongoing nationwide campaign, took place in District 6 in Cape Town on 21 May 2025. The initiative is seen as part of the department’s broader commitment to digital transformation, impacting all areas of Home Affairs’ mandate, including the Border Management Authority’s efforts at borders and inland.
Minister Schreiber emphasized the operation’s alignment with the rule of law, stating that the commitment to legal compliance motivates the department to enhance efforts to combat illegality.