Chinese businessman was arrested for hiring illegal immigrants and paying them R5 per hour

The South African government officials arrested a Chinese businessman for violating the country's immigration and employment laws during a raid in Mandeni,KwaZulu-Natal.

The Department of Employment and Labour confirmed that immigration officials arrested the Chinese employer which was violating the country's immigration laws by employing illegal foreigners.

"A manager and employer of Rongshou Clothing being arrested by the Department of Home Affairs immigration officials.He is to be charged for hiring illegal workers and breaking South Africa's immigration laws by aiding and abetting illegal immigration.

Also,in terms of the employment Services Act,2014,Section 8 -an employer may not employ a foreign national within the territory of the Republic of South Africa prior to such foreign national producing an applicable and valid work permit,issued in terms of the Immigration Act,"the department said.

The department revealed that the government officials spent three days in Mandeni and discovered that the textile and clothing sector is not complying with the laws such as National Minimum Wage(NMW) and many others.

"This week,the Department of Employment and Labour together with the Department of Home Affairs(Immigration Officers) and Mandeni Municipal inspectors conducted a three-day intensive inspection blitz on the textile and clothing sector in Mandeni,KwaZulu-Natal following a flurry of complaints.

“During the inspection at Rongshou Clothing,the department's inspectors were called to monitor the payment of worker salaries.The factory was served with a prohibition notice.The employer is also going to be served with the outstanding bill after it was discovered he was paying workers R5 per hour,instead of the statutory NMW,”the department added.

The department also revealed that when the inspection team arrived at the dilapidated building workers were locked inside the factory posing a fatal risk in case of fire.Inspectors inside the factory found a gas canister and house keeping left much to be desired.

KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Chief Inspector,Mlungisi Zondi said more mega inspection blitz are planned to enforce the laws of the country,the department concluded.