Several employees and their employers have been arrested during joint enforcement operations at factories in Tshwane for allegedly violating South Africa's immigration and labour laws.
The arrests form part of an ongoing nationwide campaign by the Departments of Home Affairs and Employment and Labour aimed at strengthening compliance with the country's immigration and labour legislation.
Home Affairs Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza said the operations are intended to curb the employment of undocumented migrants by targeting businesses that fail to comply with the law.
Nzuza said the government is focused on reducing the demand for illegal migrant labour, adding that employers who knowingly hire undocumented foreign nationals create an incentive for illegal immigration.
He warned that businesses found employing undocumented migrants would face legal consequences, including fines and criminal prosecution.
Nzuza added that foreign nationals found to be in the country illegally would be processed in accordance with immigration laws before being deported.
Authorities say the nationwide inspections will continue as government intensifies efforts to enforce labour standards and immigration regulations across various sectors.