Protestors walk on a street during a protest march against undocumented migrants organised by “March and March” in Johannesburg on April 29, 2026.
JOHANNESBURG - Government is tightening pressure on informal businesses and employers to guard against by-laws slipping through the cracks.
This comes amid rising tensions over the call to deport undocumented foreign nationals, as many claim their presence is squeezing the local economy and limiting opportunities for South Africans.
During a media briefing on Thursday, Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, ordered municipalities to enforce trading by-laws, while also urging South Africans to play their part by refraining from sub-leasing their business licenses.
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At the same time, Ntshavheni directed the Department of Employment and Labour to intensify inspections of workplaces across vulnerable sectors such as hospitality, farms, trucking, and construction, amongst others.
This, she said, is to ensure compliance with employment laws.
The tough stance comes as groups such as March and March led protests in parts of the country demanding the deportation of undocumented individuals.
In April, the Movement extended its "clean-up operations" from Durban to Gauteng, where they marched through the streets of Pretoria and Johannesburg, to voice their concerns about undocumented foreign nationals in the country.
Similar protests were also witnessed in KuGompo in the Eastern Cape. Their demonstration came after the controversial coronation of a Nigerian national as King of East London.
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On a policy level, Ntshavheni said the Revised White Paper on Immigration addresses constraints with current immigration laws.
This, she said, is because it introduces provisions of moving refugee reception centres nearest to the border, and a clause to enable relevant departments to designate certain trades, professions, and businesses only for South Africans and refugees.