Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth, today, 29 August 2025, led a successful blitz inspection in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, as part of Women's Month commemorations. The operation was carried out with the participation of women in uniform from the Department, South African Police Service (SAPS), Department of Home Affairs (DHA), and the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Police Department.

The programme began with a roadblock led by traffic police officials, focusing particularly on truck drivers. Minister Meth noted ongoing challenges in the trucking industry, highlighting that a significant number of drivers are undocumented foreign nationals.

During the inspection, a Zimbabwean national was arrested by DHA Immigration Unit and SAPS officials for driving without a valid work permit, while the vehicle was found to be unroadworthy. Authorities confirmed that the employer will face charges.

Minister Meth together with inspectors from the Department's Inspection and Enforcement Services (IES) also engaged with drivers to raise awareness on key labour laws, including the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), the National Minimum Wage Act (NMWA), and the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA).

She further welcomed the commitment of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Police Department, noting with appreciation that such operations are conducted weekly. Minister Meth reaffirmed the government's commitment to prioritising South African workers in the industries where opportunities are often taken up by undocumented foreign nationals.

Speaking at the operation, she welcomed the cabinet's adoption of the National Labour Migration Policy, which grants the Minister authority to designate certain sectors for South African job seekers, particularly in industries that do not require highly specialised or scarce skills.

Minister Meth expressed concern over reports that some employers prefer hiring undocumented foreign nationals, citing the misconception that South Africans are unwilling to perform hard work. She stressed that such practices undermine local employment opportunities and contribute to the country's high unemployment rate.

In the build-up to today's inspection that commemorates Women's Month, the Department of Employment and Labour conducted nearly 500 inspections across the country in various workplaces. These inspections revealed alarmingly low levels of compliance with labour laws, which the Minister described as disappointing. She urged the employers to comply with labour laws and legislation, warning that non-compliance will not be tolerated.

In addition, the Minister, together with inspectors from the Department's Inspection and Enforcement Services (IES), visited Cemza, a company involved in cement production and transportation, which has been accused of employing undocumented foreign drivers. The visit aimed to assess compliance with key labour legislation, including the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), the National Minimum Wage Act (NMWA), the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), the Unemployment Insurance Act (UIA), the Unemployment Insurance Contributions Act (UICA), and the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA).

Minister Nomakhosazana Meth also noted positive feedback from communities who welcomed the Department's visibility and enforcement efforts, while emphasising that the real measure of success will be seen in the creation of meaningful opportunities for South Africans.

These multidisciplinary blitz inspections reaffirm the government's unwavering commitment to protecting workers' rights and ensuring compliance with labour legislation across all sectors.

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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