Police have raided a factory in the town of Stanger just outside Durban in KwaZulu-Natal after they were tipped that it was employing over 300 undocumented immigrants as factory workers.
The raid, which started around 10am on Thursday, was led by KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli. He also leads the provincial department of community safety. Ntuli was joined by Lt General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the provincial police commissioner and officials from the Department of Labour and the Department of Home Affairs.
Textile factory owner explains
The owner of the factory, a South African national of Indian ancestry, was also arrested and charged for employing the undocumented immigrants, thus violating the country’s immigration and labour laws. Her textile factory has been in operation for about 25 years. The owner alleged during interrogation by Ntuli that it supplies prominent customers like Legit and Edgars stores in the country.
When asked why she was employing undocumented immigrants, she claimed that they come with work permits. This implies that she does not check whether they are legally in the country or not. She also claimed that she often advertised vacancies with local newspapers to get local labour. And she works with others she trains on the job.
Ntuli told her that her action has now soiled the good name of her company. This as the law would take its course going forward.
“They enter our country illegally. I am very sorry for you… because you have to really answer, the law is the law. The law remains the law, it is very unfortunate,” Ntuli told the owner.
Violation of country’s laws
Speaking to the media after the raid, Ntuli heaped praises on Mkhwanazi, the police, and the departments involved. He commended their involvement in fighting the scourge of undocumented immigrants. For helping the fight against the blatant violation of the country’s labour and immigration laws.
“I want to believe that what they do now, even those who want to come into our country illegally will have fear. They won’t go to KwaZulu-Natal. They know that going to KwaZulu-Natal, the police will catch you.
“Even the owner (of the business) will know that they will get arrested. After this, the owner (of the Stanger factory) must face the consequences. As the government of KwaZulu-Natal, we are quite happy with what the police are doing,” Ntuli said.
