Twenty-nine foreign nationals have been arrested during a multidisciplinary labour inspection in Hammarsdale, west of Durban.
The operation, led by Employment and Labour Deputy Minister Jomo Sibiya, involved the South African Police Service (SAPS), Home Affairs immigration officials and the Durban Metro Police.
The inspection forms part of ongoing efforts by authorities to enforce labour laws and identify undocumented foreign nationals working illegally in the country.
Sibiya said the Hammarsdale industrial area was targeted following concerns over widespread violations of employment and immigration regulations.
Among those arrested were a Chinese factory owner and her husband, who were allegedly working in South Africa while in possession of visitor visas.
Sibiya said at least 14 of those arrested were unable to produce passports, while others were found to be in possession of visitor visas that did not permit them to work.
Authorities also uncovered alleged violations of labour laws at several factories inspected during the operation.
Sibiya said officials had received information that some factories were operating night shifts where undocumented workers were allegedly being employed.
“Some factories managed to remove their employees before we arrived,” Sibiya said.
He said inspections at two factories revealed widespread non-compliance with both labour and immigration laws.
According to Sibiya, workers were allegedly not receiving salary slips, were being paid below the minimum wage and were not receiving their legally required leave.
He said the findings pointed to violations of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and other labour regulations.
The authorities are expected to continue conducting inspections in industrial areas as part of efforts to crack down on illegal employment practices and ensure compliance with South Africa’s labour and immigration laws.