The Department of Employment and Labour along with its partners, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), South African Police Service (SAPS), the iLembe District Municipality, and Mandeni Local Municipality unleashed a sting operation which resulted in the arrest of 64 people at the iSithembe Industrial Area in Mandeni, KwaZulu-Natal Province, yesterday, 16 April 2025.

Led by Employment and Labour's Deputy Minister, Jomo Sibiya and Home Affairs Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza, the high-powered inspections led to the arrest of 63 mostly Lesotho undocumented foreign nationals and their employer. Three sections of the factories in the area were also closed down due to noncompliance.

Reacting to the arrests, Deputy Minister, Sibiya said that the operation is intended to clean the country of illegal foreign nationals and lawlessness. He said South Africa as a constitutional country has laws that need to be respected and adhered to and that it cannot be that people come to the country and break the law. “Compliance is order of the day, whether you are a South African or not, compliance is required," he said.

He raised his concern on the tendency of clothing and textile employers luring illegal foreigners into the country, getting them trained by South Africans and, then being paid meagre wages “because they accept any pay as long as they are working", at the expense of locals.

Sibiya said available jobs should be prioritised for South Africans and those who have valid documents. He called on South Africans not to lose hope and that the Department along with its partners will work tirelessly, day and night to bring that hope to life.

The closure of the sections came as a result of employers' failure to comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and therefore being issued with a Prohibition notice as well as compliance orders for several labour laws transgressions such as the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), National Minimum Wage Act (NMWA), Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), Unemployment Insurance Act (UIA), and the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA).

According to the Department of Employment and Labour's Provincial Chief Inspector, KZN Province, Mlungisi Zondi, all nine companies inspected were found wanting in terms of the BCEA, OHSA, UIA, and COIDA. He said three Prohibition Notices were issued as well as 36 Compliance Notices.

Mlungisi said for compliance notices, the employer is afforded 14 days to comply and failure to conform within the specified time will lead to a referral to the National Prosecuting Authority for prosecution whereas, for OHS Prohibition Notices, the employer has 60 days to comply or face prosecution.

Nzuza told the media that the sting operation was an intelligence-driven occurrence and that they were aware that the majority of the foreigners were from Lesotho. He stressed the intention of the sting being “to clean the country".

Among the people who graced the sting operation were the District Mayor of iLembe District Municipality, Councillor Thobani Shandu as well as the Deputy Mayor of Mandeni Local Municipality, Councillor Lawrence Magwaza.

The inspections led to the discovery of two licensed firearms as well as ammunition and a magazine of an unknown gun. SAPS is currently conducting investigations on the matter.

All the arrested foreign nationals were taken to the Inyoni Police Station for further processing.

Media inquiries and interviews:

Teboho Thejane

Departmental Spokesperson

082 697 0694

Teboho.Thejane@labour.gov.za

-ENDS-

Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour

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