A JOINT operation led to the arrests of undocumented foreign nationals and an employer in New Germany, Pinetown.

Pinetown SAPS communications officer Jennifer Naidu said the raid followed intelligence that was received regarding the alleged employment of undocumented foreign nationals at a factory on Devon Road.

A search warrant was subsequently obtained, and a joint operation was conducted by members of SAPS Pinetown, the eThekwini District Economic Infrastructure Task Team, Pinetown Crime Intelligence, SAPS Public Order Policing, Durban Metropolitan Police, the Department of Labour, the Department of Home Affairs, as well as private security companies V-Guard Security and AX Solutions.

“The operation was conducted under SAPS operational command.”

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Naidu stated that the purpose of the operation was to verify the legal status of employees and to ensure compliance with relevant labour and immigration legislation.

“During the operation, individuals who were unable to provide the necessary documentation confirming their legal status in South Africa were arrested. The owner of the company was also detained in terms of the Immigration Act of 2002 for employing undocumented persons.”

“Approximately 80 foreign nationals were transported to SAPS Pinetown for further verification of their legal status and work permits. Those who could not produce the required documentation were subsequently detained and will appear before the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court,” explained Naidu.

She added that SAPS will continue to conduct operations of this nature to ensure compliance with the law and to safeguard the interests of the community.

Naidu encouraged the public to report any suspicious or unlawful activities to their nearest police station.

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