2 minors among 9 foreigners arrested at Polokwane Asian restaurant

An ongoing inter-departmental blitz inspection in the hospitality sector led to the arrest of nine illegal foreigners at a popular Asian restaurant at the Cycad Shopping Centre in Polokwane yesterday.

According to the Department of Employment and Labour, one of those arrested was the restaurant’s manager.

Of those arrested, two are reported to be minors, aged 15 and 17.

The arrests form part of a four-day, national operation targeting restaurants

“The blitz inspections are conducted in collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs’ immigration services and the SAPS. There is nothing unique about the blitz, except that restaurants, in particular, were becoming a problem sector,” the department’s chief labour inspector for occupational health and safety Milly Ruiters says.

Ruiters adds that the department normally conducts proactive and reactive inspections.

“In our strategy, we have identified problematic and high-risk sectors as a matter of focus,” she says.

Ruiters says 1 984 boots are on the ground during the operation.

The Polokwane Review-Observer is awaiting comment from Limpopo police.

No further information was available at the time of publishing.