FREE STATE – A comprehensive multi-agency operation has resulted in the arrest of a 47-year-old factory owner for alleged illegal possession of suspected stolen property and a 26-year-old man for immigration violations following raids on clothing manufacturing facilities in Phuthaditjhaba.
The operation, conducted on 26 November, involved the National Bargaining Council for the Clothing Manufacturing Industry, Crime Intelligence, Hawks, Tactical Response Team (TRT), Public Order Police, K9 Unit, South African Revenue Service (SARS), Department of Home Affairs, Department of Social Development, Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, and Department of Employment and Labour.
Military uniform fabric seized
The factory owner was discovered in possession of fabric used to manufacture South African National Defence Force uniforms, whilst the second suspect was arrested for being in the country illegally.
The operation targeted six clothing manufacturing factories suspected of various compliance violations. Several fines and notices were issued for alleged contraventions of multiple pieces of legislation, including:
- Immigration Act
- Occupational Health and Safety Act
- National Minimum Wage Act
- Basic Conditions of Employment Act
- Companies Act
- Customs and Excise Act
- Co-operatives Act
- Consumer Protection Act
Intelligence-led investigation
The National Bargaining Council for the Clothing Manufacturing Industry had identified the six factories for possible non-compliance. Their suspicions were subsequently confirmed by Crime Intelligence, necessitating the comprehensive multi-agency operation.
Free State Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane and Hawks Provincial Head Major General Mokgadi Bokaba have commended the collaboration between government departments and reaffirmed their joint commitment to eradicating crime in the province.
The operation demonstrates the effectiveness of coordinated law enforcement efforts in addressing complex criminal activities that span multiple regulatory jurisdictions.
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