KZN Premier Thami Ntuli has called for intensified operations targeting undocumented foreign nationals and non-compliant businesses across the province after a joint operation in Pietermaritzburg uncovered serious concerns over immigration, labour, building and hygiene compliance.
The operation on Tuesday involved the police, Home Affairs, the Department of Labour, environmental officials and the municipality.
Ntuli said 29 undocumented foreign nationals were discovered during inspections at residential properties and had been arrested to be processed by Home Affairs and the police.
The operation also targeted businesses, with officials checking compliance with municipal, labour, immigration, environmental and other laws.
Ntuli raises concerns over working conditions
Ntuli said officials had encountered worrying conditions at some businesses, including concerns over the treatment of workers and compliance with building regulations.
He said some buildings had been constructed without plans being submitted to the municipality for approval, warning that illegal construction could have serious consequences.
The Premier also raised concerns about workers being paid as little as R100 a day despite working from 6 am to 6 pm.
Ntuli said the Department of Labour would address concerns relating to workers, while environmental officials would deal with hygiene-related issues.
Home Affairs officials were also tasked with verifying the documentation of people found during the operation.
Ntuli said document verification was necessary because some people claiming to have valid papers could be in possession of fraudulent documents.
He said some foreign nationals had valid documentation but the businesses they operated were still failing to comply with municipal and other laws.
Call for province-wide operations
Ntuli said the Pietermaritzburg operation should be followed by similar operations across KwaZulu-Natal, particularly during September.
“It’s an operation which I decided to use to call on every police station, Home Affairs office and municipality across KwaZulu-Natal to embark on similar operations,” he said.
Ntuli said the operations should focus on dealing with undocumented foreign nationals through the appropriate authorities while ensuring businesses comply with South African laws.
He also raised concerns about employers who hire undocumented foreign nationals and said businesses must comply with minimum wage requirements.
Ntuli said the government was reviewing penalties for employers who hired undocumented foreign nationals, with the aim of preventing businesses from benefiting from unlawful employment practices.
He said further operations would be conducted in other areas where authorities had information about businesses employing undocumented foreign nationals.
