The Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour, Mr Jomo Sibiya, yesterday, 06 November 2025, led a multidisciplinary High Impact Blitz Inspection in the Eastern Cape Province, reaffirming government's commitment to promoting safe, fair, and compliant workplaces.

The inspection, conducted in partnership with various sector departments namely; Department of Home Affairs and the South African Police Service, focused on enforcing key labour legislation and evaluating workplace compliance. It forms part of a strategic initiative to safeguard workers' rights and strengthen regulatory oversight through coordinated interdepartmental collaboration.

During the operation, 17 undocumented foreign nationals were arrested, and a non-compliant employer was issued with a compliance order for multiple contraventions of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA). These included:

• Section 81 – Failure to keep prescribed records
• Section 82 – Outstanding Return of Earnings (ROEs) for the 2024/25 financial year
• Section 86 – Outstanding payment amounting to R31,579.40
• Section 87 – Accrued penalties and interest

Deputy Minister Sibiya commended the collaborative effort and employer cooperation, saying “This initiative is a testament to what we can achieve when government departments work together in pursuit of a common goal. I want to thank our partner departments for their unwavering support and commend the employers who have opened their doors and cooperated fully with our labour inspectors. Their commitment to compliance is vital in building a labour market that is both just and sustainable."

The Department of Employment and Labour remains committed in its mission to foster a culture of compliance and accountability across all sectors of the economy.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Teboho Thejane

Departmental Spokesperson

082 697 0694/ teboho.thejane@labour.gov.za

-ENDS-

Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour

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