Durban | Operation Engangeni Ngesango Iyafohla | June 2025 - KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Honourable Thamsanqa Ntuli, led an unannounced inspection at a truck depot near Durban Station as part of Operation Engangeni Ngesango Iyafohla—a targeted provincial intervention aimed at enforcing labour laws and protecting employment opportunities for South African citizens.

The visit follows mounting complaints from local truck drivers alleging that some employers are hiring undocumented foreign nationals and paying them exploitative wages—undermining fair labour standards and sidelining local workers in a sector already under economic strain.

The operation forms part of the Premier’s broader commitment to confronting illegal employment practices and restoring the dignity of South African workers.

Speaking during the operation, Premier Ntuli issued a stern warning: “Employers who flout labour laws by hiring undocumented foreigners will face the full might of the law. These illegal practices not only exploit vulnerable individuals, but they also rob our citizens of jobs and threaten the stability of our labour market.”

The Premier also highlighted that over the past two days, more than 135 undocumented individuals were arrested during police enforcement blitzes in Hammarsdale and Chatsworth. These operations are coordinated in partnership with the Department of Home Affairs, SAPS, and local law enforcement.

Premier Ntuli reiterated that the provincial government is intensifying its crackdown on lawless employers while ensuring that legitimate businesses are supported to grow and employ legally.

“KwaZulu-Natal must become a province where the rule of law is respected, where fairness governs our labour practices, and where no employer gets away with exploiting desperation,” said Premier Ntuli.

The Premier affirmed that further surprise inspections will continue across various sectors and municipalities as part of a zero-tolerance approach to the employment of undocumented individuals. At the same time, the province is expanding training, support, and placement programmes to ensure that local workers—especially young people—are equipped for sustainable employment.

This operation underscores the province’s commitment to protecting jobs, enforcing immigration and labour regulations, and restoring confidence in the fairness and integrity of KwaZulu-Natal’s labour market.