Zimbabweans Beware: New SA Home Affairs Minister Vows Workplace Raids

Zimbabweans Beware: New SA Home Affairs Minister Vows Workplace Raids to Target Undocumented Foreigners

In troubling news for many Zimbabweans and other undocumented foreigners in South Africa, newly appointed Minister of Home Affairs, Dr. Leon Schreiber, has announced plans to increase inspections at businesses where these individuals are often employed.

Also read: South African Constitutional Court Upholds High Court Ruling: Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) Termination Deemed Unlawful

New SA Home Affairs Minister Vows Workplace Raids

During the Department of Home Affairs’ budget vote for the 2024/25 financial year in the National Assembly on Monday, Dr. Schreiber stated that his department will ramp up inspections at restaurants, spaza shops, farms, and other workplaces where undocumented foreigners are employed.He emphasized that once undocumented workers are identified, they will face deportation.

“In the coming year, Home Affairs will increase the number of inspections at restaurants, spaza shops, farms and mines by over 50% in order to take action against people illegally employed, including through deportations,” Dr Leon Schreiber told Parliament.

Also read: Visa Delays? New South African Home Affairs Minister Steps In to Protect Tourists and Foreign Workers From Deportation

Public Reaction and Legal Hurdles

Following the announcement, many South Africans expressed support for the new measures and even suggested locations for the raids. However, others have cautioned that the Department of Home Affairs may need to amend existing laws to enable lawful deportations. Here are some of the comments:

@Kat4Kubs:

Start with these companies: @SteersSA @My_SPAR @DebonairsPizza @bp_SouthAfrica fuel stations

@siyasanga_nonge:

Please don’t forget to check Parklands in Blouberg, Cape Town. South Africa is messed up because of Nigerians, and because they stay in nice places and drive nice cars, no one notice that we have crime here because of their drugs, but we blame Zimbabweans who are here to work💔

@DonaldMathekga:

Non-refoulement will render sections 32 /34 of the Immigration Act (which you can use to deport immigrats) USELESS, in simple terms you will NOT be able to deport anyone unless you change the law. Helen Suzman Foundation will win against you anytine, anywhere. STOP playing .

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