26 illegal immigrants arrested
TWENTY-six illegal immigrants were arrested by police at the LenMed Heart Hospital construction site yesterday following a surprise visit to the site at about 11am.
Police spokesman, Lieutenant Sergio Kock, stated that the illegal immigrants were from Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
The Department of Home Affairs provincial manager, Abednego Mvula, added that this was part of a joint routine inspection by the departments of Home Affairs and Labour and the SAPS.
“More than 180 workers were working on site, where 34 workers could not identify themselves and were detained for further investigation.”
He indicated that only three workers were positively verified as Lesotho foreign nationals.
“They will be released due to the moratorium on Basotho, who are now permitted by the South African government to apply for a Lesotho Special Permit.”
He added that no one was found in possession of fraudulent identity documents.
“Should persons fail to identify themselves as South African citizens or foreign nationals who are legally permitted to work in the country, they will be deported to their country of origin.”
Mvula said that according to the immigration laws, foreign nation- als could not be employed if they were in the country illegally.
“Employers employing illegal foreign nationals will be charged and if found guilty will be sentenced by the courts for violating the Immigration Act.” Foreign nationals are permitted to be employed in the country if they are in possession of a work visa, asylum seeker or refugee permit.” Spokesman for the Department of Labour, Kebalepile Khula, stated that the contractor had complied with all labour regulations, following an inspection that was conducted on April 12.
“There was one minor incidence of non-compliance with regards to scaffolding and poor housekeeping but this has since been rectified.”
The main contractor, GVK-Siya Zama Construction junior, contracts manager Conrad de Beer said that there were no disruptions to construction yesterday.
“We are fully co-operating with the authorities in verifying the details of workers and their work permits. All workers were required to provide proof of identification when they were inducted.”