South African authorities conducted nationwide immigration enforcement operations in 2024, leading to the arrest of 322 undocumented workers and 68 employers for violating immigration laws by hiring foreign nationals without valid work permits. The crackdown also resulted in significant revenue for the state through fines paid by the arrested employers.
South African authorities conducted joint immigration enforcement operations throughout 2024, resulting in the arrest of 322 undocumented workers and 68 employers. Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth revealed these figures in response to a parliamentary inquiry from African Transformation Movement MP Thandiswa Linnen Marawu. The crackdown targeted employers who hired foreign nationals without valid work permits, violating South African immigration laws.
Limpopo province recorded the highest number of employee arrests with 163 undocumented workers detained, followed by the Western Cape with 43 arrests. Gauteng and Eastern Cape each recorded 34 employee arrests. The Eastern Cape led in employer arrests with 34 cases, representing half of the national total. Mpumalanga followed with 15 employer arrests and Limpopo with eight cases. Three provinces – the Northern Cape, North West, and Free State – reported no employer arrests during this period. Meth clarified that all arrested employers paid admission of guilt fines amounting to R10 000 each, generating a total revenue of R680 000 for the state. The minister highlighted the collaborative efforts between various government departments in these operations. The Department of Employment and Labour conducted blitz inspections in partnership with the Department of Home Affairs and the South African Police Service. The Department of Employment and Labour focuses on enforcing labor laws to protect workers within those companies, while the Department of Home Affairs verifies the validity of visas and work permits, enforcing immigration laws. In cases of noncompliance, the Department of Home Affairs arrests both employers and employees.Furthermore, the Minister provided detailed statistics on work visa applications processed between April 2023 and March 2024. Out of the total applications, 5,383 were rejected, while 872 were approved. Zimbabwe emerged as the largest source country for approved work visas with 445, followed by Lesotho with 250 and Mozambique with 86. Other countries with approved visas included Namibia with 70, India with 11, China with four, Pakistan with three, the United Kingdom with one, Israel with one, and Eswatini with one. Most approved work visas were granted in the agricultural sector with 795 visas issued to applicants from Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Namibia, and Eswatini. The mining sector received 55 approvals, manufacturing 13, wholesale and retail six, and maritime one.
IMMIGRATION SOUTH AFRICA ARRESTS UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS EMPLOYERS LABOR LAWS WORK VISAS
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