A Nigerian man, who is the husband of a prominent Free State politician, has been arrested in Bloemfontein after police discovered around 28 undocumented foreign nationals allegedly hidden at a guesthouse linked to him. The incident has triggered a wider immigration and criminal investigation in the Free State.
The arrest was confirmed on Tuesday by Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae, who said authorities were still working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the discovery and the documents found at the property.
According to preliminary information shared by police, between 28 and 29 people were found inside the guesthouse. Officials believe the group had been staying at the property for about seven days without leaving the premises.
Premier Letsoha-Mathae described the situation as suspicious, noting that the occupants appeared to have been deliberately kept indoors during that period.
“It’s a guesthouse where we had about 28 to 29 people that were arrested because they were hiding in this place,” she said.
She added that food and supplies were allegedly being brought into the property, suggesting the group was being supported while kept out of public view.
“When we enquire for how long have they been here, we’re told that it’s about seven days that they’ve been hiding in this place. They’re not going out. They’re not doing anything there. But there is someone who’s coming in bringing some foodstuffs for them,” she explained.
The discovery comes amid heightened tensions in South Africa over illegal immigration, with protests and public debates intensifying in several provinces.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the nationalities of all those arrested, but initial reports suggest that many are undocumented migrants from countries including Ethiopia and Nigeria.
Letsoha-Mathae stressed that immigration officials are now assisting police to verify the legal status of every individual taken into custody.
“We have observed or what the police have found is that most of them don’t have documents. They’re illegal immigrants from different countries,” she said.
The investigation took a more serious turn after officers reportedly found a Nigerian passport along with the death certificate and identity document of a deceased South African woman inside the guesthouse.
Officials also alleged that a visa linked to the deceased woman may have been fraudulently obtained after her death, raising concerns of possible identity-related offences and document fraud.
“This person is having a Nigerian passport but is in possession of a death certificate of a South African woman and an ID of a South African woman,” the premier said.
Police have not yet confirmed formal charges against the arrested man, but he is currently in custody as investigations continue. Authorities are also reviewing guesthouse records, including booking logs, to determine whether the occupants were legitimately registered or intentionally concealed.
The case has placed renewed focus on immigration enforcement and compliance inspections in accommodation establishments across South Africa.
Officials say further updates will be provided once preliminary investigations are complete and all individuals have been properly processed and identified.
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