GQEBERHA – Nineteen undocumented people were arrested during a coordinated law-enforcement and compliance operation in Gqeberha, targeting the employment of undocumented foreign nationals.

SAPS Nelson Mandela Bay District, together with the Department of Home Affairs, Department of Labour, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and other government and law-enforcement agencies, conducted the operation under Operation Identity and Operation Prosper.

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Njabulo Nzuza, Deputy Minister of Labour, Jomo Sibiya, and Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor, Babalwa Lobishe, joined the operation, which also involved the municipal police, South African National Defence Force, Immigration Department and NMB Traffic Department.

The operation focused primarily on the construction site of the new Alpha Mega Shopping Mall in Circular Drive, Lorraine, and the FAW truck manufacturer in Coega.

SAPS said it was the first operation of its kind to be conducted at a construction site and included several compliance inspections.

The Department of Human Settlements conducted inspections into the legal use of water and electricity by contractors, while compliance with safety standards at the construction site was also inspected.

According to a statement, the Department of Labour conducted inspections relating to labour matters, while Immigration Department officials searched for undocumented people working on the site.

The coordinated efforts resulted in 19 undocumented individuals being arrested.

Department of Labour officials also identified several non-compliance issues involving some contractors. SAPS said these would be investigated further and resolved.

Both deputy ministers stressed the importance of inspection operations and said the word would spread to other businesses not to employ undocumented people.

SAPS said it remained committed to strengthening operations under Operation Identity and Operation Prosper to combat crime, enforce the law and ensure the safety and security of communities.

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