Inspectors find no proof of foreigners illegally occupying Mahikeng Airport

The furore over foreign nationals illegally occupying aviation facilities at the Mahikeng George Dick Montshioa International Airport in North West has turned out to be a damp squib, potentially embarrassing to the seemingly overzealous North West community safety and transport MEC Mosimanegape Morweng.

- By Setumo Stone

A video of Morweng on Tuesday conducting oversight at the airport was leaked on social media, containing claims that Nigerian nationals had unauthorised access to the aviation facilities, including conducting flights.

This sparked fears of a catastrophic national security failure by the provincial government and demands for accountability.

On Wednesday, a heavy police contingent, including immigration officers and state security agents, descended on the airport to conduct inspections, including the search of an alleged drug cargo. But the authorities were sent on a wild goose chase.

"The objectives of the operation were to enforce immigration laws and monitor illegal migration as well as the illegal employment of foreigners. Enforcing compliance with the conditions under which they were allowed into the country," read the internal memo.

The team had a mandate to “ensure compliance with regard to the Immigration Act, enhance visibility of immigration officers, arrest and detain possible illegal foreigners, conduct investigative interviews of suspected transgressors, charge those who are harbouring illegal foreigners and arrest and charge those who employ illegal foreigners”.