ANA reports that several foreign nationals were arrested on Saturday for illegally residing on and operating a factory in Tongaat in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), the SA Police Service (SAPS) said on Sunday.  

Following a complaint, a SAPS team proceeded to the factory on Walter Reid Road.  Two foreigners opened the roller door of the factory and said that they were merely fetching welding machines.  When they were told they were to be charged for contravening the lockdown regulations for not being confined to their residences, they attempted to flee, but were arrested.  On the premises the officers found over 90 sealed beer bottles, over 90 beer cans, and over 100 cartons of cigarettes.  Three other foreign nationals were also found.  The team then discovered several dormitories with undone beds and cellphone chargers still plugged in the wall sockets.  A further inspection revealed an internal door opening to a fire escape staircase leading to the ceiling.  Eight foreign nationals were found hiding inside the ceiling.  Three more foreign nationals were subsequently found hiding within the premises.  All the suspects were arrested for contravening of the Disaster Management Act and Immigration Act.  The first two suspects were also charged for defeating the ends of justice.  In two separate incidents on Friday and Saturday in Port Shepstone and Pinetown, three people were arrested for dealing in liquor, large amounts of which were confiscated.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Independent News
• Read too, Illegal factory shut down, 13 foreigners arrested, alcohol and cigarettes seized, at TimesLIVE

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page