KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli said that allegedly untrustworthy officials passed information to employers about a planned raid targeting undocumented workers in the Isithebe industrial area in KwaSithebe, Mandeni, South Africa.
Inspection of businesses
The operation was conducted with the participation of police as well as officials from the departments of labour and home affairs. It took place as part of the provincial Engangeni Ngesango Iyafohla campaign aimed at inspecting industrial enterprises and companies for compliance with labour legislation.
According to TimesLIVE, the raid was preceded by information that hundreds of migrants without proper documents could be working in the area. Ntuli noted that authorities had previously visited the area when businesses were unaware of the inspection. At that time, undocumented workers were found, and some of them and business owners were detained.
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Statement on employers being warned
During the current operation, Ntuli spoke with workers who, he said, reported that employers had been warned about the raid. As a result, some people were told not to come to work, while others were sent home in the morning as the premier was arriving at the operation site.
The premier said he saw many workers in the streets, which, in his view, indicated that there had been an advance warning. He called the likely information leak an obstacle to the authorities’ work. Ntuli also said that the provincial administration would continue to enforce rules and laws intended to protect workers’ rights and ensure fair labour practices.
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