POLOKWANE – 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 on Thursday.
According to the Department of Employement and Labour, nine undocumented foreign nationals were arrested, including the restaurant manager.
Of the nine people arrested, two are reported to be minors and are 15 and 17-years-old.
The ongoing inter-departmental blitz inspections in the hospitality sector today pounced on a restaurant establishment operating in Cycad Polokwane as Asian Cuisine restaurant & take aways. pic.twitter.com/QBMOT1PlAS
— Department of Employment and Labour (@deptoflabour) September 19, 2024
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 South African Police Services. There is nothing unique about the blitz, except that the restaurants in particular were becoming a problem sector,” the department’s chief labour inspector for occupational health and safety Milly Ruiters said.
Ruiters added that the department normally conducts both proactive inspections and reactive inspections.
“In our strategy we have identified both problematic and high-risk sectors as a matter of focus,” she said.
Ruiters said a total of 1984 boots will be on the ground.
The Polokwane Review-Observer is awaiting comment from the Limpopo police on the matter.
This is a developing story.
