PIETERMARITZBURG, KwaZulu-Natal — A major multidisciplinary raid in Pietermaritzburg has resulted in the arrest of 29 illegal immigrants and the closure of multiple non-compliant businesses, according to KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli, who led the sweeping operation in the city’s central business district. The joint operation, involving the South African Police Service (SAPS), Home Affairs, the […]
PIETERMARITZBURG, KwaZulu-Natal — A major multidisciplinary raid in Pietermaritzburg has resulted in the arrest of 29 illegal immigrants and the closure of multiple non-compliant businesses, according to KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli, who led the sweeping operation in the city’s central business district.
The joint operation, involving the South African Police Service (SAPS), Home Affairs, the Department of Employment and Labour, and other government entities, targeted businesses contravening labor laws and migration regulations. The crackdown is part of an ongoing compliance campaign initially launched in 2024, which Premier Ntuli announced will now be enhanced and rolled out across all municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal.
During the inspections, officials discovered 16 buildings operating in violation of safety and zoning regulations. These violations ranged from residential and commercial properties with illegal electricity connections to unauthorized construction undertaken without approved building plans.
Premier Ntuli highlighted the severe risks posed by these unregulated structures. “They are just buildings without plans. If this collapses and kills people, it is going to be an issue, whereas they were supposed to follow the correct channels if they wanted to change some structures,” he stated.
Beyond structural hazards, the raid exposed alarming labor exploitation and unsanitary conditions. Investigators found employees working 12-hour shifts, from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, seven days a week, for a mere 100 Rand per day. In one particularly disturbing discovery, officials found a makeshift living area hidden inside a rear storage unit where workers were sleeping on mattresses on the floor, with no proper lighting or ventilation.
The operation also uncovered severe health and safety breaches in food-handling areas. Inspectors seized expired frozen food products and shut down outlets with unhygienic kitchens, noting that the unsanitary environments posed a direct threat to both workers and the public.
When confronted during the raid, some business owners attempted to deflect responsibility, with one claiming they were no longer the owner despite records indicating otherwise during previous visits. Premier Ntuli criticized this lack of accountability, noting that some establishments had been served compliance notices in prior operations but failed to make the necessary corrections.
Addressing the desperation for employment that leaves workers vulnerable to such harsh conditions, Premier Ntuli urged job seekers to educate themselves on their legal rights. “All businesses need to comply with minimum wage and minimum pay payments,” he advised. “When they look for work, they must know their rights, and when they see something which is not what they know in terms of their rights, they must report to the Department of Employment and Labour.”
Several businesses have been ordered to remain closed until they address all violations and meet the required compliance standards. Authorities have warned that enforcement actions, including fines and closures, will continue as the multi-departmental inspections expand across the province.
