ERMELO – Questions surrounding a law enforcement operation observed in Ermelo on June 18 have now been answered following confirmation from provincial SAPS spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo.

According to Masondo, officials from the Department of Home Affairs, assisted by SAPS members, conducted inspections at various businesses in town to determine compliance with immigration and employment legislation.

During the operation, 60 foreign nationals were identified and processed.

Authorities found that several individuals were either employed without valid work permits or were unable to produce documentation permitting their presence and employment in South Africa.

As a result, 60 suspects were arrested for contraventions of the Immigration Act.

Additional inspections at a spare parts business and a hardware store led to the arrest of five more undocumented foreign nationals.

The Department of Home Affairs is expected to investigate employers found to be hiring foreign nationals who are not authorised to work in South Africa.

Read more about the inspections conducted at various businesses and the investigations facing employers in the Highvelder’s printed edition.