The Inspection and Enforcement Services Branch of the Department of Employment and Labour in the North West Province, in collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs and the South African Police Service, kick-started a four-day joint blitz inspection in Rustenburg. Day one of the operation focused on the Retail and Wholesale sector in the area.

A total of 38 workplaces were inspected on the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), Unemployment Insurance Act (UIA), Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA), Employment Services Act (ESA), and the National Minimum Wage (NMW) Act, which are key in terms of the legislation within the Department's mandate. These led to a total of 68 inspections completed as per the respective legislations, and out of this number, only thirteen were found to be compliant with one or more legislations, while 54 were found to be non-compliant. 

According to the Provincial Chief Inspector, Chris Sithole, 16 contravention notices were issued together with 40 compliance orders, 1 improvement notice, and 2 prohibition notices. The highest common areas of non-compliance were found in employers not complying with the electrical regulations, not paying according to the NMW, and also not providing employees with contracts of employment, not registering as an employer, and non-submission of declarations and returns of earnings.

Non-compliance around Rustenburg is prevalent in all the sectors, and it is worrying. For the better part of 2025, we did most of our blitz inspections around these areas, targeting other economic sectors, and we believed our presence would also act as a deterrent to other sectors; however, that was not the case, as employers continue to disregard the labour laws," said Sithole.

In addition, some employers were charged for employing undocumented foreign nationals and they were subsequently taken in for processing by the Department of Home Affairs, for contravening the Immigration Act. 

These blitz inspection is part of the multi-pronged service delivery campaign led by the Department of Employment and Labour and other government departments, where several activities will be carried out within the Bojanala Platinum District Municipality. These activities include, among others, an official opening of the Mogwase Labour Centre, Labour Activation Programme oversight visit, Launch of Unemployment Insurance Fund mobile buses, and a full day of service delivery.

The remaining activities are as follows:

Blitz Inspection

Date: 07-09 January 2025

Venue: Assembly points to be confirmed daily

Time: 07H00 (time may vary)

Mogwase office opening

Date: 07 January 2026

Venue: Mogwase Labour Centre (office between Lesego Medical centre & Cashbuild

Time: 12H00

LAP projects oversight visits

Date: 08 January 2026

Venue: Mogwase

Time: 11H30

Service delivery campaign & UIF Mobile Office Launch

Date: 09 January 2026

Venue: Letlhabile Community Hall

Time: 09H00 - 15H00

Media houses that wish to cover these activities may RSVP to Botsang Huma at Botsang.huma@labour.gov.za / 082 497 7438. 

For media inquiries, please contact:

Pertunia Lessing

Director: Media Liaison

066 301 4645/ petunia.lessing@labour.gov.za

Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour

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