The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal province, Mhlangano Ntuli, issued a stern warning to businesses and private individuals who hire foreign nationals without documentation. He stated that such employers will face arrest due to the intensification of measures to combat illegal immigration in the province.
Speaking on the ongoing deportation and repatriation efforts in the province, Ntuli emphasized that authorities are expanding the scope of control measures. Now, the penalty threatens not only the unregistered migrants themselves but also the employers who knowingly hire them.
The Premier noted that this operation will continue to ensure that everyone without documents resolves this issue, including the employers who hire them. He explicitly stated that such workers will be arrested.
The government appealed to local communities to assist law enforcement by reporting employers who violate immigration laws. Ntuli urged society to actively cooperate with the police by informing about cases of illegal employment of unregistered foreigners.
These statements came amid large-scale operations conducted by KwaZulu-Natal against undocumented migrants across the province. The Premier reported that on June 30th alone, the police detained 250 unregistered foreign nationals, after which they were processed for deportation.
Ntuli stressed that the province's approach is focused on the rule of law, while drawing a clear distinction between undocumented migrants and foreigners who legally reside in South Africa. He confirmed that the deportation process will continue.
At the same time, he reiterated that legally documented foreigners should not become targets of persecution and must be integrated into local communities. The Premier added that some members of society do not understand that the country cannot exist without foreigners, as South African citizens are also abroad. He emphasized that those who have documentation must be included in community life.
Ntuli also linked this issue to broader economic concerns. He mentioned that the government is working to fill gaps in sectors previously occupied by undocumented migrants while supporting local business and township economies.
