REITZ – A biscuit factory operating from a farm in Reitz, Free State, is at the centre of an alleged contravention of labour law for employing undocumented foreign nationals. This followed the discovery of another group of 24 undocumented foreign nationals in the early hours yesterday during a joint crime-prevention operation.

Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring, provincial spokesperson for the police, said the group was due to appear before the Reitz Magistrate’s Court today, on Friday 9 October, facing charges relating to contraventions of immigration legislation. He said those arrested comprised of men and women.

“The 24 persons arrested included five females and 15 males from Malawi, as well as four males from Lesotho,” said Mophiring.

Mophiring said the operation was conducted by multidisciplinary law enforcement officials. These comprised members of the Reitz police, the Nketoana Local Municipality, and the Department of Home Affairs Immigration Unit.

He confirmed the ongoing crime operation targeted priority crimes including assault, murder, burglaries, and infrastructure-related offences such as copper cable theft.

During a raid conducted early in July, authorities found nine undocumented foreigner nationals working at the same factory.

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Authorities announced that the owner faced action for alleged non-compliance with applicable labour legislation. It was also indicated that municipal authorities would be engaged regarding the matter, and that the factory faced possible closure pending further investigations regarding contravention of labour laws.

The Employment Services Amendment Bill of 2026, proposes at that an employer, including private households, who hires foreigners without the legal right to work could face a fine of up to R100, 000 for a first contravention.

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