SUCCESSFUL MULTI-DISCIPLINARY OPERATION TARGETS CLOTHING FACTORIES

Multi-disciplinary Operation

By: Neo Ntsele

An extensive operation involving the National Bargaining Council for the Clothing Manufacturing Industry, Crime Intelligence, Hawks, Tactical Response Team (TRT), Public Order Police, K9 Unit, South African Revenue Service (SARS), Department of Home Affairs, Department of Social Development, Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, and Department of Employment and Labour resulted in the arrest of a 47-year-old factory owner for allegedly possessing suspected stolen property.

The factory owner was found with fabric intended for the South African National Defence Force uniform.

A 26-year-old male suspect was also arrested for being in South Africa illegally.

The operation, conducted on Wednesday, 26, in Phuthaditjhaba, aimed at inspecting six clothing manufacturing factories.

Numerous fines and notices were issued for alleged violations of the Immigration Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, National Minimum Wage Act, Basic Conditions of Employment Act, Companies Act, Customs and Excise Act, Co-operatives Act, and Consumer Protection Act.

The National Bargaining Council for the Clothing Manufacturing Industry had identified six factories for potential non-compliance.

These suspicions were later confirmed by Crime Intelligence, prompting a collaborative operation among various stakeholders.

Free State Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane, and Hawks Provincial Head, Major General Mokgadi Bokaba, praised the cooperation between government departments and reaffirmed their commitment to combating crime in the province.

Both arrested suspects will soon appear in the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrates' Court.