Government Cracks Down on Employers Hiring Illegal Foreign Workers
The Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) has announced the arrest of 68 employers and the issuance of R680,000 in fines for violating employment and immigration laws in South Africa. This serves as a strong warning to businesses employing foreign workers without valid work permits.
The information was disclosed during a recent Parliamentary Q&A, where the DEL provided a breakdown of arrests and convictions related to the employment of undocumented immigrants in 2024.
The DEL emphasized that it carries out blitz inspections in collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) and the South African Police Service (SAPS).
“During these operations, the DEL’s role is to enforce labour laws to ensure worker protection, while the DHA verifies visas and work permits under immigration laws,” the department explained.
Employers found noncompliant face legal action, with DHA responsible for arresting both employers and employees violating immigration laws.
According to the DEL, each of the 68 arrested employers paid an admission of guilt fine of R10,000, amounting to a total of R680,000 in fines. Additionally, 322 employees were arrested and processed under immigration regulations.
The Eastern Cape recorded the highest number of employer arrests, with 34 individuals fined a total of R340,000. However, Limpopo had the highest number of employee arrests, with 163 individuals detained, despite only eight employer arrests.
Meanwhile, the Free State saw just two employee arrests, while the Northern Cape and North West provinces reported no arrests.
The information was disclosed during a recent Parliamentary Q&A, where the DEL provided a breakdown of arrests and convictions related to the employment of undocumented immigrants in 2024.
The DEL emphasized that it carries out blitz inspections in collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) and the South African Police Service (SAPS).
“During these operations, the DEL’s role is to enforce labour laws to ensure worker protection, while the DHA verifies visas and work permits under immigration laws,” the department explained.
Employers found noncompliant face legal action, with DHA responsible for arresting both employers and employees violating immigration laws.
According to the DEL, each of the 68 arrested employers paid an admission of guilt fine of R10,000, amounting to a total of R680,000 in fines. Additionally, 322 employees were arrested and processed under immigration regulations.
The Eastern Cape recorded the highest number of employer arrests, with 34 individuals fined a total of R340,000. However, Limpopo had the highest number of employee arrests, with 163 individuals detained, despite only eight employer arrests.
Meanwhile, the Free State saw just two employee arrests, while the Northern Cape and North West provinces reported no arrests.
