Thirteen undocumented foreign nationals were arrested at Devland Cash & Carry, a wholesale business in Devland, south of Johannesburg, during a multi-department labour inspection operation in December 2025.
The workers, originating from Malawi, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Mozambique and India, were taken into custody alongside one employer for allegedly violating South Africa’s labour and immigration laws. Authorities say several other undocumented workers fled the premises shortly before inspectors arrived.
According to officials, the arrested workers were performing basic labour tasks that authorities say could have been filled by South African citizens.
The operation formed part of a joint blitz by the Department of Employment and Labour, the Department of Home Affairs, the South African Police Service, and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department.
Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour Jomo Sibiya said both Devland Cash & Carry and another company, Krunch (Pty) Ltd, were issued with Contravention and Prohibition Notices.
“During our second day in the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality, we visited two employers, Krunch (Pty) Ltd and Devland Cash & Carry, and both were issued with notices and subsequently arrested for contravening Sections 38 and 44 of the Immigration Act, which prohibit the employment of illegal immigrants,” Sibiya said.
He added that the multidisciplinary inspection resulted in the arrest of 25 undocumented foreign nationals in total, including the employers.
“Our inspections are conducted to ensure compliance with key legislation, including the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, the Unemployment Insurance Act, COIDA and the Occupational Health and Safety Act,” Sibiya said.
Authorities say more operations will continue across Gauteng as part of ongoing efforts to enforce labour and immigration compliance.
Saturday Star