GEORGE NEWS - Undocumented workers and the employers who hire them are in the spotlight following the arrest of several delivery drivers in George's CBD during a joint law enforcement operation on Tuesday 9 June.
The operation was aimed at identifying undocumented foreign nationals employed in the area.
Altogether 12 people were arrested on charges of contravention of the Immigration Act.
The operation involved the George Police, the Public Order Police, immigration officers of the Department of Home Affairs, and George Traffic Services.
According to the Southern Cape Police's spokesperson, Warrant Officer Chris Spies, the arrests form part of ongoing multi-agency efforts to address illegal activities and ensure compliance with immigration laws.
"The 12 individuals remain in police custody and are expected to appear in the George Magistrate's Court on Thursday 11 June," he said.
The operation comes amid heightened national focus on illegal immigration and the employment of undocumented foreign nationals. The Department of Employment and Labour and other government departments are said to be intensifying efforts to ensure compliance.
Initiatives like this, to identify undocumented workers and ensure that employers comply with labour and immigration regulations, are taking place across the country.
The issue has become prominent in recent weeks amid the growing public concern over illegal immigration and isolated incidents of xenophobia and intimidation as close to home as Mossel Bay, with an incident in Thembalethu on Sunday 7 June. This was quickly nipped in the bud.
Government has stressed that immigration laws must be enforced through legal channels, and it condemned vigilantism and xenophobic attacks.
In his speech to the nation on Sunday 7 June, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the government would intensify its efforts through stricter border controls, stronger identity verification systems and tougher enforcement against employers who hire undocumented foreign nationals.
He announced that inspections, arrests, prosecutions and deportations would be increased, while penalties for employers who contravene the Immigration Act would be strengthened.
"The South African Police Service, home affairs and the Department of Employment and Labour are increasing inspections targeting companies employing undocumented foreign nationals," said Ramaphosa.
The labour department has also begun phased recruitment of 10 000 inspectors.
"We are going to increase the penalties, including imprisonment, for employers who violate the Immigration Act," said Ramaphosa.
Although firmly stated in his address, no written statement on the subject matter has yet been released by the Department of Labour itself. However, in an interview with the SABC, the deputy minister of employment and labour, Jomo Sibiya, says the department plans to impose fines on employers found to be hiring illegal migrants.
Ramaphosa said employers who knowingly hire undocumented migrants undermine labour standards, fair competition and opportunities for South Africans.
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