7 Kenyans arrested for immigration violations in South Africa

19/12/2025 7:18

Seven Kenyan nationals were arrested in Johannesburg for allegedly violating the country's immigration laws, South Africa's Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has said.



The individuals were found working while holding tourist visas, despite having had their visa applications for such work lawfully declined, the department said on Tuesday in a statement.



The Kenyans were issued deportation orders and will be prohibited from entering South Africa again for a five-year period, it added.



The arrests were carried out during a routine operation by the department in cooperation with other law enforcement agencies, aimed at curbing illegal immigration and visa abuse, the statement said.



Authorities confirmed that the seven Kenyans were employed at a center processing applications for so-called "refugees" seeking resettlement in the United States. The department said that no U.S. officials were arrested during the operation and that the raid was not conducted at any diplomatic site.