Mashaba Declares War On Undocumented Immigrants In Inner-City Blitz

Herman Mashaba Issues Strong Warning To Undocumented Foreign Nationals In Hillbrow And Berea

ActionSA president Herman Mashaba has sent a strong message to undocumented foreign nationals living in Johannesburg’s Hillbrow and Berea, declaring that the party intends to take a tougher approach towards immigration enforcement and restoring law and order in the inner city.

In a Facebook post on Friday, 6 November 2026, Mashaba announced that there was a “new sheriff in town”, warning undocumented immigrants in the two neighbourhoods that they should prepare to leave.

“There’s a new sheriff in town, and the message is LOUD AND CLEAR! Illegal immigrants in Hillbrow and Berea must start packing their bags and run now because the days of lawlessness, illegal occupation and turning a blind eye are OVER. ActionSA will Restore Law and Order!!” Mashaba wrote.

The statement has attracted attention because Hillbrow and Berea remain among Johannesburg’s most closely watched inner-city areas, with longstanding concerns about overcrowded buildings, property hijackings, crime, poor infrastructure and municipal enforcement.

Mashaba has consistently placed immigration enforcement at the centre of ActionSA’s political agenda. During the party’s election campaign, he promised to establish a specialised unit within the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) to work alongside the South African Police Service, Home Affairs and the Department of Employment and Labour.

Speaking at ActionSA’s final election rally in Hillbrow on 30 October, he argued that undocumented immigration was placing pressure on Johannesburg’s resources and the rule of law.

His latest warning therefore appears to reinforce a campaign promise that the party intends to pursue a more aggressive approach to immigration enforcement.

However, there is an important distinction between political promises and the legal powers of municipal authorities.

Under South African law, the Department of Home Affairs is responsible for determining immigration status and managing deportations. The Immigration Act provides for immigration officers to take the necessary enforcement steps, including detention and deportation where legally justified.

This means that ActionSA cannot simply order people to leave the country without the appropriate legal processes being followed.

The rights of individuals must also be respected, and immigration status must be established through lawful procedures rather than assumptions based on nationality or place of residence.

For residents and businesses in Hillbrow and Berea, the bigger question is whether the proposed approach will translate into meaningful improvements in safety, building management and service delivery.

ActionSA is presenting the restoration of law and order as one of its major priorities in Johannesburg. Mashaba’s latest statement suggests that undocumented immigration will remain central to that agenda.

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