Local builders who have been in the industry in the Overberg for a long time are now fed up. The group of builders representing approximately 200 builders from the Overberg say they are currently sitting at home and unable to find work because the company and contractor are using illegal immigrants.
Who is there to protect us? they ask.
A group of local builders and construction workers visited the Hermanus Times offices to voice their growing frustration over the widespread use of undocumented foreign nationals in the town’s construction industry, announcing plans for protest action. The delegation, representing various construction trades and small building companies in the Overberg area, expressed concerns that mirror a nationwide crisis affecting the South African construction sector.
“We’re not anti-immigrant, but we are pro-fairness and pro-safety,” said one of the builders who requested anonymity. “What we’re seeing is a system that exploits vulnerable people while simultaneously destroying opportunities for local workers and compromising building standards.”
Labour organisations about to erupt
The group cited industry estimates suggesting that undocumented workers make up as much as 90% of the workforce on certain construction sites, a statistic that has alarmed both labour organisations and industry bodies across South Africa.
The builders highlighted several key issues driving their planned protest:
• Wage undercutting: undocumented workers often accept significantly lower wages and work without benefits such as Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) contributions or pension schemes, making them attractive to cost-conscious employers over South African workers.
• Safety standards: The group expressed serious concerns about construction safety, pointing to the recent fatal building collapse in George, where many workers were suspected to be undocumented. Investigations into that tragedy revealed poor safety practices and regulatory failures.
The builders noted employers often exploited undocumented foreigners by demanding longer hours under harsher conditions, taking advantage of their vulnerable legal status to avoid paying fair wages and providing proper working protections.
In a statement they explained: “With South Africa’s unemployment rate among the world’s highest the preference for undocumented workers has intensified competition and reduced opportunities for local builders and labourers and that is why we are planning a a peaceful demonstration to highlight these issues and call for stricter enforcement of labour regulations in the construction industry. We want to see proper documentation checks, fair wage standards and, most importantly, adherence to safety regulations that protect all workers.”
The builders emphasised their concerns extended beyond economic competition to include the welfare of exploited workers and public safety.
The group planned to engage with local authorities and industry stakeholders before proceeding with their protest action. They have called on the Overstrand Municipality and relevant government departments to increase oversight of construction projects and labour practices. “This is about creating a level playing field where everyone can work safely and earn a fair wage.”
Last year Hermanus Times (“Thirty foreigners arrested in Hermanus”, Hermanus Times, 26 August 2025) reported on the employment of undocumented or illegal immigrants that came under the spotlight after 29 construction workers, who are classified as undocumented foreign nationals, and a sub-contractor were arrested at the site of an upscale development project in this coastal town.
Officials of the Department of Home Affairs, Hermanus police and Overstrand Law Enforcement descended on the busy construction site in Marine Drive, where a luxurious residential complex offering expansive seaviews is being constructed.
Undocumented foreign workers arrested
Thulani Mavuso, spokesperson for the Department of Home Affairs, confirmed the department had acted on information it had received regarding the alleged employment of undocumented foreign nationals. “We arrested 29 undocumented foreign nationals who were labourers and one South African employer, bringing the total of arrests to 30.” He said some of these illegal immigrants, who hail from Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi, had been in South Africa for approximately three years. He added none of the men had indicated in interviews they were married. The men appeared in Hermanus Magistrates’ Court on charges relating to the contravention of the Immigration Act and now face deportation to their respective home countries.
According to the police law enforcement agencies, in collaboration with the Department of Employment and Labour and the Department of Home Affairs, were intensifying efforts to catch illegal contractors and workers in South Africa through coordinated raids, inspections and special task teams. “Police are working with labour inspectors to conduct mass inspections on construction sites to check for compliance with labour laws and immigration regulations,” they said in a joint statement.
They also emphasised that in South Africa employing undocumented foreign nationals or those in violation of the Immigration Act is a criminal offence, with recent crackdowns resulting in fines often around R10 000 to R15 000 per worker or up to R100 000 in severe cases. Employers face immediate fines or imprisonment for up to a year, with repeat offenders jailed for up to two years.
“If you are aware of a construction company that is making use of illegal workers, don’t hesitate to contact us. You can anonymously report criminal activity to the police via the Crime Stop hotline (08600 10111), the MySAPS App, or by dialing *134*10111#. These services are 24/7, ensure anonymity, and are managed by trained professionals who accept tips without tracing your phone number.”
