Police arrest 71 suspects in Addo and Kirkwood, Eastern Cape. Image by the Department of Employment and Labour via Twitter
Police arrest 71 undocumented foreign nationals in the Eastern Cape
Police arrested no less than 71 undocumented foreign nationals in the Sarah Baartman Municipality on Tuesday during a labour department raid.
Police arrest 71 suspects in Addo and Kirkwood, Eastern Cape. Image by the Department of Employment and Labour via Twitter
Many of the 71 foreign nationals arrested are from Lesotho, Malawi and Zimbabwe, the Department of Employment and Labour has confirmed. The operation took place in Addo and Kirkwood near Gqeberha.
The officials launched an effort to scrutinise compliance with labour legislation.
EFFORTS TO APPLY LABOUR LEGISLATION
“The inspections saw a total of 71 alleged undocumented foreign nationals apprehended by Home Affairs SA and SAPS with 68 of those being males and three females,” the Department of Employment and Labour confirmed on its website.
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The police probes were carried out in the wholesale and retail sector (12), hospitality (3), miscellaneous (21), and nine in the farming sector.
“Four compliance orders and one written undertaking due to underpayment of employees were dished out in the wholesale and retail sector who were given 14 days to comply,” the statement said.
“Among these immigrants are nationals of Lesotho, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. They will appear before the court on Wednesday 8 September 2021.”
POLICE’S CORE REASONS FOR ARRESTING FOREIGN NATIONALS
The department explained that the objective of the operation is to instil compliance with South Africa’s Acts of Minimum Wage, Basic Conditions of Employment Act, Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act as well as the Immigration Act and regulating on-site vaccination.
“The department has noted with concern the rife allegations of exploitation of workers in particular foreign nationals within certain sectors of the economy and areas within Sarah Baartman District,” said the Provincial Head of the Department of Employment and Labour Nomfundo Douw-Jack.
“It is, therefore, the responsibility of the law enforcers to ensure those found to be delinquent face the full might of the law,” she added.
The department concluded to confirm that the operation will continue up to Friday 17 September.
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