Thirteen undocumented foreign nationals, including Zimbabweans, were arrested at Devland Cash & Carry in south Johannesburg, South Africa, during a December 2025 labour inspection.
The workers, from Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Malawi, Ethiopia, Mozambique, and India, were detained along with one employer for allegedly breaking South Africa’s labour and immigration laws. Authorities said several other undocumented workers fled before inspectors arrived.
Officials added that the arrested workers were doing basic tasks that South African citizens could have done.
The operation was part of a joint raid by the Department of Employment and Labour, Home Affairs, SAPS, and the Johannesburg Metro Police.
Deputy Minister Jomo Sibiya said both Devland Cash & Carry and Krunch (Pty) Ltd were issued Contravention and Prohibition Notices. Said Sibiya:
“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.”
He added that the multi-department inspection led to a total of 25 undocumented foreign nationals being arrested, including some employers.
The checks aim to ensure businesses comply with key laws such as the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, the Unemployment Insurance Act, COIDA, and the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
More: Saturday Star
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