Major labour inspection in Mandeni, KwaZulu-Natal leads to arrests of two employers and 47 illegal foreign workers
A labour inspection blitz in Mandeni, northern KwaZulu-Natal has led to the arrest of two employers and 47 illegal foreign nationals.
Image: Department of Employment and Labour
Two employers and 47 illegal foreign nationals have been arrested in a large-scale inspection blitz carried out by the Department of Employment and Labour in collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs and the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Mandeni, in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
The Labour department said the operation also resulted in the closure of a clothing and textile factory.
The operation, was led by Employment and Labour deputy minister Jomo Sibiya and Mandeni mayor Thabani Mdlalose, and was held after complaints regarding alleged labour exploitation in local factories.
Illegal employment practices
The department said the inspection aimed to measure compliance with various legislative frameworks, including the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA), the National Minimum Wages Act, and others designed to safeguard workers' rights.
During the inspection, two factories were visited. One of them was served with a prohibition notice for several infractions, including hiring illegal immigrants, paying workers as little as R12 to R17 per hour—well below the mandated National Minimum Wage of R28.79—and failing to comply with health and safety standards.
In a shocking discovery, a 14-year-old minor was found on site.
At the other factory, inspectors discovered additional non-compliance with registration for the COIDA and the Unemployment Insurance Fund. Both factories were flagged for their poor adherence to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations, which exposes workers to significant risks, including those posed by inadequate workplace conditions and practices.
Worker exploitation
Deputy Minister Sibiya said there needed to be consequences for the repeated exploitation of vulnerable workers.
The department's Inspector-General, Aggy Moiloa commended the joint efforts in protecting vulnerable workers.
The department said the illegal workers, primarily from Lesotho and Malawi, will undergo processing at local police stations before facing deportation. The operation is expected to continue today.