Police detained 48 illegal immigrants, including a Chinese national, near Hilldrop on Thursday, September 25, after a farmer raised the alarm.

The farmer had noticed a ‘suspicious-looking truck’ and immediately contacted Optimus Protection Services (OPS).

According to OPS, It was believed that the driver (of the truck) was attempting to ‘hide’ the workers after being informed of a Blitz Operation led by Deputy Labour Minister Jomo Sibiya, the SAPS, Home Affairs, Newcastle Municipality and Labour Department officials in the Riverside industrial area.

The driver was arrested on charges of human trafficking, while the undocumented workers were also detained.

Police commented that the crackdown apprehended over 100 other illegal immigrants, together with their employers, who were detained during the blitz on charges related to various labour-related legislation. This includes employers under-declaring wages and failing to meet minimum labour standards.

According to Sibiya, officials swooped on six companies found to be non-compliant with the law.

Legislation related to Occupational Health & Safety, UIF, the Compensation Fund, minimum wage, and the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, he said, were simply being ignored. The employees were allegedly underpaid, denied correct wages for holidays and Sundays worked, and not issued proper payslips.

Sibiya described the workers’ working conditions as ‘extreme’, with many employees reportedly working from 07:00 to 17:00, with only a one-hour break. They would then return for an 18:00 to midnight shift before reporting back to work again at 07:00.

“It’s a vicious cycle. It’s abuse,” he said, while describing the conditions as an extreme form of exploitation.

Four companies were closed on charges of serious health and safety violations, including faulty electrical and gas installations and inadequate ablution facilities.

Sibiya emphasised that non-compliant gas installations posed a serious fire hazard and said his department is committed to fighting these abuses.

“We will continue our inspections to clean up the country and protect local jobs,” Sibiya concluded.

WATCH: Jomo Sibiya (Deputy Minister of Employment & Labour) shares video footage of illegal immigrants being detained:

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