Mapaballo Borotho
- Seven Kenyan nationals have been arrested for illegally working at a US refugee application processing centre while holding tourist visas.
- Home Affairs has issued deportation orders against them and barred them from re-entering South Africa for five years.
- DIRCO has begun diplomatic engagements with the United States and Kenya following the arrests.
Seven Kenyan nationals have been arrested for illegally working at a centre processing applications of so-called refugees to the United States.
The arrests were carried out by the Department of Home Affairs on Tuesday, 16 December 2025, despite earlier visa applications for Kenyan nationals to perform this work having been declined by the department lawfully.
The group was found to be engaging in employment while in possession of tourist visas, thereby violating the conditions of their entry into South Africa.
Spokesperson to the Minister of Home Affairs, Carli Van Wyk, confirmed that the individuals have been issued with deportation orders and will be prohibited from re-entering South Africa for a period of five years.
Van Wyk further noted that two United States officials were also arrested during the operation, which was not conducted at a diplomatic site. She added that no members of the public or prospective “refugees” were harassed during the arrests.
Meanwhile, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation has initiated formal diplomatic engagements with both the United States and Kenya to resolve the matter.
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