Democratic Alliance interior minister targets foreigners – ZimEye

South Africa – New Democratic Alliance (DA) Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has begun a crackdown on “illegal” foreigners working in the country.

Schreiber said he would beef up inspection teams and deploy them to various businesses across the country, targeting restaurants, grocery stores, farms and mines to identify and crack down on those who hire workers illegally.

Schreiber said the government would focus on deporting any individuals found to be working in South Africa without proper legal authorization or documentation.

Schreiber said:

In the coming year, the Interior Department will increase the number of inspections of restaurants, grocery stores, farms and mines by more than 50%, taking action against people working illegally, including deportation.

South Africa is grappling with the worrying issue of illegal immigration and the employment of undocumented foreigners in the country.

It is reported that although South Africa’s Immigration Act and Employment Services Act explicitly prohibit illegal immigration, there are still tens of thousands of illegal immigrants working in various sectors of the South African economy.

The Home Office emphasised the employer’s responsibility in this matter. Businesses must make every effort to verify the immigration status and work permits of their foreign employees.

This includes checking for valid work visas or permits through appropriate channels and conducting regular immigration audits to ensure compliance.

Failure to fulfil these obligations can result in severe penalties for employers. Under the existing legal framework, those who violate the Immigration Act may face heavy fines or even imprisonment.

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