The Department of Employment and Labour says dozens of undocumented foreign nationals were discovered during an inspection blitz at a clothing factory in Newcastle, northern KwaZulu-Natal.
Officials conducted inspections on Thursday targeting farms, as well as clothing and textile manufacturing facilities, as part of ongoing efforts to enforce labour and immigration laws.
During the operation, inspectors descended on a clothing factory where 34 undocumented workers were found employed without valid permits. Two Chinese nationals believed to be the employers were arrested for allegedly contravening immigration regulations.
Authorities also ordered workers living on the premises to vacate the building by the end of the day.
Inspectors described the on-site accommodation as unsafe and unsuitable for habitation, citing unhygienic conditions and significant fire risks.
In total, six manufacturing sites were inspected during the operation. All six were found to be non-compliant with Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) requirements, while only four met the standards set out in the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.
The department says further action will be taken against employers who fail to comply with labour and immigration laws.