According to a media statement issued by the department, over 180 employers in the North West were inspected by the Inspection and Enforcement Services unit of the Department.

Inspector General, Aggy Moiloa, stated that the most common notices issued were for violations of the National Minimum Wage Act (NMWA), Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS), and Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) (BCEA). The inspection week also resulted in eleven foreign nationals who lacked proper documentation being arrested.

The statement further explains that the blitz was a collaborative effort between the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), the South African Police Service (SAPS), and the National Bargaining Council for the Road Freight and Logistics Industry (NBCRFLI). Moiloa also explained that they discovered that most employers are underpaying their employees, making illegal deductions, and also failing to provide their employees with payslips and employment contracts.

“We have since issued them with contravention notices, and we expect them to correct this within the time frames specified".

The department is set to conduct a follow-up inspection, and those who are still found to be violating the labour law will be dealt with in accordance with standard operating procedures, which include referral for prosecution.

One of the issues raised is a violation of the OHS's Electrical Installations Regulations and Standards, which poses a serious risk to lives.

"This is one of the riskier areas because it poses a risk to lives; if anything goes wrong, these installations will cause serious catastrophic incidents that can result in the loss of lives”, Moiloa said.

The statement concludes that the Department was checking compliance with Labour Legislation such as OHS, UIA, Compensation Fund (CF) Act, BCEA, and the NMWA during these inspections, which were primarily focused on the road freight and logistics, iron and steel, and manufacturing sectors.

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