Business owners in the Riverside Industrial area were arrested this morning (February 5) during a blitz oversight inspection conducted by the Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour.

WATCH: Business owners arrested during blitz operation (video by Department of Labour)

The operation was carried out alongside the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL), Cosatu, the South African Police Service (SAPS), Newcastle Metro Police and the Department of Home Affairs.

According to the department, the owners of a sweat shop operating within Newcastle’s notorious textile industry were arrested for contravening immigration laws.

“They have been running sweat shops since 2018 using holiday visas. They were taken to the local police station for processing,” the department said.

Illegals caught hiding

It was further alleged that several illegal workers attempted to evade detection by locking themselves inside workers’ quarters during the inspection.

“The living conditions in the quarters left much to be desired,” the department added.

The arrests form part of the Oversight Blitz Operation, which began yesterday and led to the temporary closure of a farm in Normandien.

WATCH: Illegal workers attempt to hide during blitz operation (video by Department of Labour)

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