KZN to step up workplace inspections under Engangeni Ngesango Iyafohla, premier says

KwaZulu‑Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli announced an escalation of the provincial Engangeni Ngesango Iyafohla programme to step up workplace inspections and act against employers who hire undocumented foreign nationals.

Premier outlines tougher enforcement

Speaking at a media briefing on the June 30 marches and their economic impact, Ntuli said the province would “intensify inspections at workplaces and businesses across the province to identify and act against employers who hire undocumented foreign nationals in contravention of South African law.”

He warned that “employers who deliberately disregard our immigration regulations are not innocent bystanders to the tensions that communities are raising. They are contributors to those tensions. The government will find them. The government will act against them.”

Arrests, fines and calls for harsher penalties

Ntuli said that when employers are found to be employing undocumented foreign nationals, “they are always arrested.” He added that from discussions at a summit there was concern “that the sentences and the fines are not strong enough.”

He said the provincial government plans to engage national government to “relook at the fines and the likes so that we have harsher sentences that will discourage people and fines wherein they will really feel the pain of paying when they are found committing that kind of crime.”

Support from national departments and community role

Ntuli said the national government is increasing the number of inspectors from the Department of Employment and Labour who will assist, and that Home Affairs officers are deployed in various municipalities during operations. He also encouraged community reporting, saying residents can report undocumented foreign nationals to the police so immigration officers can make arrests.

He warned residents who provide accommodation, rent out spaza shops or hire undocumented foreign nationals that “you must understand that this is illegal. You are breaking the law.”

Reflections on the June 30 marches

Reflecting on June 30, Ntuli commended police for arresting 51 people who participated in looting and criminal activities and said authorities will ensure “every incident of criminality that occurred on the 30th June is fully investigated. And that those responsible face the consequences of their actions without delay and without exception.”

He said there were 20 marches in the province, of which “Ten were 100% peaceful, 10 had some incidents.” Ntuli added that “during these days, 250 undocumented foreign nationals were arrested throughout the province of KwaZulu‑Natal” while police and immigration officers remained on the ground.

Police readiness to police marches

Acting provincial police commissioner Major General Phumelele Makoba said police will continue to deal with planned and unplanned protests with available resources and that planned Thursday marches will be policed. He said law enforcement agencies, including SAPS, the Road Traffic Inspectorate and municipal metro police, will collaborate for those operations.

According to IOL, KwaZulu‑Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli delivered the remarks at a media briefing following the June 30 marches and referenced a comprehensive report by KZN SAPS.

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