ActionSA president Herman Mashaba has issued a stern warning to undocumented foreign nationals in Johannesburg’s Hillbrow and Berea, saying the party intends to restore law and order in the two inner-city neighbourhoods.
In a Facebook post, Mashaba declared that there was a “new sheriff in town”, warning undocumented foreign nationals to leave the areas.
“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.
His remarks signal ActionSA’s intention to make immigration enforcement and the restoration of law and order central to its approach in the two neighbourhoods.
Hillbrow and Berea have featured prominently in discussions around Johannesburg’s inner-city challenges, including overcrowding, illegal occupation of buildings, crime and the management of undocumented immigration.
Mashaba’s comments come amid renewed political debate over immigration enforcement following the 2026 Local Government Elections.
However, immigration enforcement remains a matter for the relevant authorities and must be conducted in accordance with South African law. Undocumented status does not, on its own, establish that an individual has committed a crime.
