Crackdown on Illegal Immigrants: Seven Arrested During Workplace Inspections

In a series of workplace inspections conducted in KwaZulu-Natal, officials have arrested seven foreign nationals. This operation, which involved the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL), the Ethekwini Metro Police, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), and the South African Police Service (SAPS), focused on the transport sector, particularly along the M7 freeway in Clairwood.

Details of the Arrests

Of the seven individuals arrested, two were found to have outstanding warrants for their arrest, while the remaining five were illegally working in South Africa without valid visas.

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According to Teboho Thejane, a spokesperson for the DEL, these individuals will face charges under Section 491 (a) of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002, which addresses the offence of entering and remaining in the country without proper documentation.

Future Inspections Scheduled

Mlungisi Zondi, the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Chief Inspector, has emphasized the need for the road, freight, and logistics industry to prioritise compliance with South African labour laws.

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He expressed concern over the pervasive non-compliance observed during inspections, noting that many drivers were not registered for social security benefits and reported pay practices that ignored the national minimum wage.

As part of a broader initiative, Zondi announced that 218 companies would undergo further inspections based on collected data, suggesting that the recent arrests are merely a glimpse of the ongoing enforcement efforts by the employers and the government.