Eastern cape: Seventeen undocumented foreign nationals were arrested during a high-impact workplace inspection led by Employment and Labour Deputy Minister Jomo Sibiya in the Eastern Cape.

According to South African Government News Agency, the multidisciplinary operation was conducted in collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs and the South African Police Service. This initiative is part of the government’s efforts to promote safe, fair, and compliant workplaces while tightening the enforcement of labour laws across various sectors.

The Department of Employment and Labour stated that the blitz inspection focused on enforcing key labour legislation and assessing workplace compliance. During the operation, one non-compliant employer received a compliance order for multiple contraventions of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA). These contraventions included failure to keep prescribed records, outstanding Return of Earnings for the 2024/25 financial year, outstanding payment amounting to R31,579.40, and accrued penalties and interest.

Deputy Minister Sibiya praised the collaborative effort and cooperation of employers during the operation, noting that such initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to fair and lawful employment practices. He emphasized the importance of inter-departmental cooperation in achieving common goals and commended employers who opened their doors and cooperated fully with labour inspectors.

The department reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a culture of compliance, accountability, and respect for workers’ rights through sustained enforcement across all sectors of the economy.