A TOTAL of 15 undocumented foreign nationals and one factory owner were arrested.
This arrest is good news to unemployed South Africans, who said they have been complaining about this for years. Now, they say they're happy to see action.
The arrest follows KZN cops having stormed factories in Chatsworth, Durban, on Tuesday, 18 March.
An unemployed Chatsworth resident, Thabsile Dlamini, stated that it has become common knowledge that many factories prefer to employ foreigners over South Africans and often fail to verify whether these foreign nationals are properly documented.
"When we go look for jobs, we are told South Africans are lazy and complain a lot. I ended up sitting at home and not go out looking for work because most general work has been taken by foreigners. It's painful and unfair," he said.
"We have been talking about this for many years and are glad that finally there is action taken."
Another unemployed resident, Nhlanhla Mkhize, said it's about time the employment of illegal foreign nationals is attended to.
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"The problem is with employers. They want cheap labour because they don't want to pay people accordingly, and foreigners take any amount given to them," he said.
KZN police spokesman Colonel Robert Netshiunda said in their concerted efforts to tackle illegal employment of undocumented foreign nationals, cops in the province, in conjunction with inspectors from the Department of Employment and Labour and Immigration officials from the Department of Home Affairs, conducted compliance inspection operations in Chatsworth on Wednesday.
Netshiunda said during the operation, a total of five factories were inspected, and one factory was found to have illegally employed 15 foreign nationals.
"After verification by Home Affairs, all 15 foreign nationals were found to be in the country illegally, and were duly arrested," he said.
"The owner of the factory was also arrested for employing undocumented foreign nationals."
Netshiunda said the blitz was a continuation of operations aimed at stamping the authority of the state by ensuring lawlessness in the business sector is eradicated which directly or indirectly compromises the livelihoods of South Africans.
He added that the operations are continuing in various areas of KZN.
