News24 reports that according to the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL), 22 persons were arrested for alleged noncompliance with labour and immigration laws following a raid at China Town in Ottery, Cape Town, on Wednesday.

The blitz operation was a continuation of the DEL’s raids last year in the hospitality, wholesale and retail sectors to ensure compliance with health and safety standards and national minimum wage regulations. The raids also focused on compliance with Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) contributions, the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act and Unemployment Insurance Contributions Act. Department of Home Affairs and Liquor Boards officials were also present during the blitz operations. DEL’s ministerial spokesperson Thobeka Magcai said that the arrests had been in relation to undocumented foreign nationals and the employment of undocumented foreign nationals. Three of the arrestees were employers, and 19 were workers. In a post on X, DEL Minister Meth reported that during the raid in Ottery, at least one staff member had allegedly hidden in the toilets, with officials also finding expired food, alcohol and drinks dating back to 2023. "I see you have a lot of expired food on your shelves. You are just killing our people. Who do you sell this food to? [...] I do not want to call authorities that will end up arresting him," Meth is seen telling a shop owner in a video.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Na'ilah Ebrahim at Fin24

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