The restriction follows a Sunday, June, 7 announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa introducing strict new measures to tighten immigration enforcement, secure South Africa’s borders, and penalize non-compliant employers.

The government's decisive action comes in direct response to a wave of nationwide protests demanding the immediate deportation of undocumented immigrants.

To lead this enforcement strategy, the government plans to boost its boots on the ground.

Department Deputy Minister Jomo Sibiya revealed that 10,000 additional labour inspectors will be recruited to ensure absolute compliance with the country’s labour and immigration laws.

According to Sibiya, dishonest employers deliberately bypass the legal system to maximize their profit margins at the expense of vulnerable workers.

“Illegal foreign immigrants are used by employers because they don’t pay them UIF, they are not registered with compensation fund, they are not registered with UIF, they are not paying them at the minimum wage because they want to exploit them.

You can’t register a person who is undocumented with UIF. You can’t register a person who is undocumented with compensation fund. They want to save money and make more profit, it’s all about that,” Sibiya told SABC NEWS.

The Department warned that businesses found violating these regulations will face severe legal consequences as inspectors prepare to start countrywide inspections.