Kwazulu-natal: Over 20 undocumented foreign nationals have been arrested following the Department of Employment and Labour’s blitz inspections in KwaZulu-Natal.

According to South African Government News Agency, the multi-departmental inspections, spearheaded by Deputy Minister Jomo Sibiya, were conducted in collaboration with Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza of the Department of Home Affairs, Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala of Public Works and Infrastructure, the South African Police Service, the Ilembe District Municipality, and the Indwedwe Local Municipality, led by Mayor Mfeka. The inspections led to the arrest of 25 individuals and two employers on Tuesday.

The blitz inspections targeted the agriculture and wholesale and retail sectors in the Indwedwe Local Municipality. The Department of Employment and Labour revealed that the 25 individuals arrested were employed illegally on two farms and were apprehended by inspectors from the department, along with officials from Home Affairs and the South African Police Service. The two farm employers were arrested for employing these undocumented workers, who include Malawians and Mozambicans, and were subsequently taken to the local police station for processing and possible deportation.

The inspections aimed to assess compliance with several labour regulations, including the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), the National Minimum Wage (NMW) Act, Unemployment Insurance Contributions Act, and the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act. Deputy Minister Sibiya noted that some employees were not registered with the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) and the Compensation Fund, and there was noncompliance with the National Minimum Wage by employers.

Additionally, Sibiya highlighted issues found in the wholesale and retail sectors, where expired and improperly labelled food items were being sold, posing public safety risks. The inspections also uncovered structural safety hazards in some buildings due to improper electrical installations. As a result, two shops were closed for failing to meet the legal standards of the OHSA.

The department issued several prohibition notices to wholesalers and shops in the Bhamshela area for failing to comply with labour laws, including the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act.