Construction sites in Knysna face inspections after George tragedy

A YEAR after the George building collapse, which claimed the lives of 34 people and left 28 injured, the Department of Employment and Labour continues oversight on construction sites in towns such as Knysna, which saw multiple undocumented foreign nationals taken into custody and the sites closed temporarily.

- GENEVIEVE SERRA

In a statement, the department confirmed that during a multidisciplinary and unannounced inspection held on June 3, they visited the construction and hospitality sector in Knysna, where several undocumented workers were found.

“At one construction site, gross contravention of labour legislation was discovered, which led to the temporary closure of the site,” said the department.

“Multiple undocumented foreign nationals were taken into police custody on site, all thanks to the swift work of the joint venture between the department's Inspection and Enforcement Services (IES) unit, the local Knysna police office, as well as Home Affairs’ Border Management Authority.

“The blitz inspection forms part of the department's service delivery campaign in Knysna. #Yazini #Delservices #workersrights.”

Teboho Thejane, chief communications officer, said as it was a multidisciplinary blitz, they could not comment formally on undocumented persons, when asked how many persons were detained.