Newcastle, South Africa – February 5, 2026
Authorities arrested several Chinese nationals today for allegedly abusing immigration laws while operating a sweatshop in Newcastle’s textile industry, an area long associated with exploitative labour practices.
The suspects, who own and manage the sweatshop, have reportedly been running the illegal operation since 2018. Officials stated that they used holiday visas to enter and remain in the country, in violation of immigration regulations that prohibit such visas from being used for work purposes.
The arrests followed an inspection by the Department of Employment and Labour. The premises, located in the eMabhodini area, were found deserted and locked upon arrival. Law enforcement officers forced entry to gain access. Inside, a number of undocumented workers had locked themselves in the on-site living quarters. Conditions in the quarters were described as substandard.
The facility manufactures clothing and is owned by the arrested Chinese nationals. The suspects were transported to the local police station for processing and further investigation.
This incident highlights ongoing challenges in regulating the textile sector in Newcastle, where informal and exploitative operations have persisted for years. The operation was overseen by the Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour.
Further details on charges, the number of suspects, or any workers involved are pending official confirmation from authorities.
- Special Tribunal Directs SIU to Release Five Luxury Vehicles Seized in Tembisa Hospital Probe
- Community Vigilantism in South Africa: A Fact-Based Examination of Mob Justice
- Community Vigilantism in South Africa: A Fact-Based Examination of Mob Justice
- Tragic Discovery: Body of Missing 23-Year-Old Found in Shallow Grave in Mpumalanga
- Tragic Week in Johannesburg: Six Bodies Recovered in City Waterways
Businessman Escapes Unharmed After Shooting on Trenance Park Road
TRENANCE PARK, KwaZulu-Natal – A local businessman avoided injury in what appears to have been a targeted shooting incident in Trenance Park on Wednesday evening.
Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) officers were dispatched to Link Road, between the Old and New Phases of Trenance Park, following reports of gunfire. They arrived on scene at approximately 21:35.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the victim had been driving alone in a black Chevrolet bakkie when a black Toyota Etios sedan pulled alongside his vehicle. Occupants of the sedan then opened fire, discharging six rounds at the businessman’s bakkie.
The driver managed to veer off the roadway into nearby bushes to evade further attack. He then exited the vehicle through the passenger-side door and fled the immediate area on foot. He did not sustain any injuries during the incident.
The suspects in the Toyota Etios fled the scene immediately after the shooting. No registration number for the suspect vehicle was obtained.
Authorities have not yet established a motive for the attack, and the investigation remains ongoing. No arrests have been reported at this time.
Drunk Driver Arrested After Crashing Through Wall into Swimming Pool in Kempton Park
Kempton Park, Gauteng – 4 February 2026
A motorist was arrested on charges related to driving under the influence and damage to property after a vehicle smashed through a residential boundary wall and ended up submerged in a swimming pool in Glen Marais, Kempton Park.
The incident occurred on the evening of 25 January 2026. Security personnel from Blue Hawk Tactical, while carrying out routine patrols in the area, came upon the scene where a blue sedan had crashed through the wall of a private property and come to rest partially submerged in the home’s swimming pool. The vehicle showed visible damage, with its lights still active, and oil slicks were evident spreading across the stagnant, green-tinged water in the pool.
Responders from multiple agencies quickly converged on the location. Emergency medical services from ER24 were already on site, alongside personnel from several private security companies, local Community Policing Forum (CPF) members, towing services, City of Ekurhuleni Fire Department, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD), and SaferCity.
Once officers from EMPD arrived, they conducted an assessment and determined that the driver was under the influence of alcohol. The individual was placed under arrest at the scene for drunk driving and malicious damage to property.
No injuries were reported from the crash, which caused significant structural damage to the residential wall and affected the private swimming pool. The presence of multiple response units highlighted the rapid coordination often seen in community safety networks in the area.
Authorities have not released further details about the driver’s identity or the exact circumstances leading to the loss of control of the vehicle. The case remains under investigation by the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department.
This incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of driving under the influence, particularly in residential areas where such crashes can result in extensive property damage and potential risk to residents.
- Special Tribunal Directs SIU to Release Five Luxury Vehicles Seized in Tembisa Hospital Probe
- Community Vigilantism in South Africa: A Fact-Based Examination of Mob Justice
- Community Vigilantism in South Africa: A Fact-Based Examination of Mob Justice
- Tragic Discovery: Body of Missing 23-Year-Old Found in Shallow Grave in Mpumalanga
- Tragic Week in Johannesburg: Six Bodies Recovered in City Waterways
