SA employers fined for hiring foreign workers without permits

Amid concerns over fraudulent work permits, South African authorities fine 68 employers for hiring undocumented foreign nationals.

Crackdown of hiring foreign nationals without work permits

Minister of Employment and Labour Nomakhosazana Meth. Image via X @g20org

The Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) has fined 68 employers a total of R680 000 for hiring undocumented foreign nationals without valid work permits, highlighting growing concerns over illegal employment practices in South Africa.

The crackdown comes amid heightened scrutiny of foreign workers. This follows the recent arrest of a Zimbabwean man who allegedly secured a top South African job using fraudulent documents.

Public Outcry Over Fake Work Permits

The arrest has reignited debates over the employment of foreign nationals, with some South Africans taking to social media to claim that many foreigners are using fake credentials to secure high-profile jobs at the expense of local citizens. This has intensified calls for stricter enforcement of immigration and labour laws.

Government’s Response to Illegal Employment

As reported by IOL, Minister Nomakhosazana Meth revealed that her department conducts blitz inspections. These inspections are done with the Department of Home Affairs and law enforcement agencies to ensure compliance with labour and immigration regulations. She emphasised that DEL enforces labour laws, while Home Affairs verifies visas and work permits.

“In the event of non-compliance with immigration laws, the Department of Home Affairs arrests the non-compliant employers and employees,” she said.

Statistics from Recent Inspections

During recent inspections, 68 employers and 322 foreign nationals were found violating regulations across South Africa’s nine provinces. Each of the 68 employers paid an admission of guilt fine of R10,000 each. This resulted in a total of R680,000 in fines. Meanwhile, the 322 undocumented employees were handed over to immigration authorities for further processing.

The Eastern Cape recorded the highest number of non-compliant employers, with 34 businesses fined a collective R340 000. Mpumalanga followed with 15 cases, while Limpopo had eight, KwaZulu-Natal five, and the Western Cape two. Among the 322 arrested foreign workers, the majority—163—were in Limpopo, followed by 43 in the Western Cape, 34 in both the Eastern Cape and Gauteng, 30 in Mpumalanga, 16 in KwaZulu-Natal, and two in the Free State.

Rejection of Work Permit Applications

The controversy over foreign employment isn’t just about illegal workers. The Department of Home Affairs also rejected many work permit applications. Meth revealed that between April 2023 and March 2024, her department processed 6 255 work permit applications, of which 5 383 were denied. Of the 872 work visas approved, 445 went to Zimbabwean nationals—the highest number. Lesotho received 250, Mozambique 86, and Namibia 70.. Most applications were in sectors such as mining, agriculture, and education and training.