MIDDELBURG – Active Citizens of Greater Middelburg is calling on Home Affairs, police and labour authorities to participate in compliance inspections following concerns raised about immigration status, labour practices and business compliance in Steve Tshwete.
In a letter addressed to the Department of Home Affairs, Employment and Labour, the South African Revenue Service (SARS), the South African Police Service (SAPS), Steve Tshwete Local Municipality and Nkangala District Municipality, the group said it wants to promote lawful economic activity, public safety, fair labour practices and regulatory compliance.
“We have received concerns from members of the community regarding possible non-compliance by certain businesses operating within the Greater Middelburg area,” the letter reads. “We respectfully request that the relevant authorities consider conducting coordinated compliance inspections and enforcement operations within their respective mandates.”
The group said the request is aimed at supporting government efforts to enforce the Immigration Act, the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, municipal by-laws and SARS tax registration requirements.
The request follows an incident at a Chinese supermarket in Middelburg Mall on Wednesday, 17 June 2026, where two men were allegedly found with documents suspected to be fraudulent.
“They mentioned that they had paid a certain individual, alleged to be working for Home Affairs, for the documents,” Active Citizens leader Sifiso Masemola told Highveld Chronicle.
Masemola said the group questioned the men about their documentation and believes government officials should be involved in future compliance operations.
“We would appreciate their cooperation and support when conducting these operations because we are trying to fix our town, and we need them to be part of that mission,” he said.
The group’s monitoring activities started on Tuesday, 9 June 2026, after residents joined the March-To-March movement against illegal immigration. Since then, members have continued monitoring activities in Mhluzi and Middelburg, with plans to expand across Steve Tshwete.
“We are continuously monitoring Steve Tshwete, and we will not leave any stone unturned,” Masemola said.
The call comes as residents’ groups in other Mpumalanga towns conduct similar monitoring activities and call for increased enforcement. The Department of Home Affairs has previously stated that only authorised officials may verify immigration documents and make arrests.
Steve Tshwete Local Municipality had not responded at the time of publication.
Active Citizens said it will continue its monitoring activities while awaiting a formal response from authorities regarding possible participation in future compliance operations.
