The leader of March and March, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, has called for stricter enforcement of employment laws following the revelation that 13,295 foreign nationals were recorded in inspected workplaces in KwaZulu-Natal during the first half of the 2026/27 financial year. This figure is part of a larger report by the Department of Employment and Labour's Inspection and Enforcement Services, which found 231,850 foreign nationals at 21,371 inspected workplaces across the country.
KwaZulu-Natal ranked sixth nationally by the number of foreign nationals recorded, behind Gauteng, North West, Western Cape, Limpopo and the Eastern Cape. Ngobese-Zuma expressed concern that the numbers alone do not address the issue, and she urged the government to take action. She emphasized that March and March has repeatedly raised concerns about foreign nationals occupying jobs, while advocating for South Africans to be prioritized in employment, education and healthcare.
Ngobese-Zuma's comments come amid South Africa's high unemployment rate, which she believes necessitates tougher enforcement of labour legislation. She argued that it is unacceptable for people to flout employment and labour laws in a country with the highest unemployment rate in the world. The March and March leader also criticized proposed amendments to the Employment Services Act, which she believes could place asylum seekers on an equal footing with South African job seekers.
Ngobese-Zuma described the approach as misguided and emphasized that South Africans should be prioritized for employment opportunities. In response, the Department of Employment and Labour's Inspector General, Aggy Moila, noted that many foreign nationals were employed in entry-level positions that could potentially be occupied by South Africans. Moila also acknowledged that limited enforcement capacity remained a challenge.
The Department of Employment and Labour is seeking to recruit additional inspectors through Project 10,000 to address this challenge. According to Moila, this initiative aims to enhance the department's ability to enforce labour laws effectively. Ngobese-Zuma's call for stricter enforcement has gained significance in light of the latest statistics, which reflect workers found during inspections and do not, on their own, establish that those workers were employed unlawfully.
The March and March leader's concerns are echoed by the fact that KwaZulu-Natal has a substantial number of foreign nationals recorded in its workplaces. While the department's report highlights the issue, it also underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to address the complexities surrounding employment and labour laws in South Africa.
As the debate surrounding employment and labour laws continues, Ngobese-Zuma's advocacy for stricter enforcement and prioritization of South Africans in employment opportunities remains a pressing concern. The Department of Employment and Labour's efforts to recruit additional inspectors and enhance enforcement capacity will be crucial in addressing these concerns and ensuring that labour laws are effectively enforced.
Key points
- March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma calls for stricter enforcement of employment laws following the revelation of 13,295 foreign nationals recorded in KwaZulu-Natal workplaces.
- The Department of Employment and Labour's Inspector General, Aggy Moila, notes that limited enforcement capacity remains a challenge and that the department is seeking to recruit additional inspectors through Project 10,000.
- Ngobese-Zuma criticizes proposed amendments to the Employment Services Act, which she believes could place asylum seekers on an equal footing with South African job seekers.
