Department warns of bogus inspectors

© Andriy Popov – 123RF.com

The department on Thursday, 8 September 2016, said it has learnt of some illicit dealings of a few individuals impersonating legitimate labour inspectors in different towns within the Free State province.

One such individual calls himself K.E Sengape and is said to be operating in and around the Bloemfontein area. The second one calls himself Aaron Mofokeng and was spotted operating in and around Bethlehem in the Eastern Free State, while the third goes by the name of Jerry and claims to be based at Reddesburg Post Office, in the Xhariep District of the Free State province.

In all three cases reported the targets were farmers.

These bogus inspectors visit workplaces to conduct illegal inspections and thereafter issue employers with illegitimate inspection reports and contravention notices.

Unsuspecting employers are coerced and intimidated by the individuals into believing that they are to face the full might of the law if they do not accede to their demands.

“All employers are therefore warned of this disturbing trend of these bogus labour inspectors mushrooming and therefore, in one way or the other, end up souring the working relationship between the Department of Labour, employers and employees in various sectors of our economy,” said the department.

Legitimate labour inspectors should always carry and be able to produce either the inspector’s card or their appointment certificates.

However, because criminals are technologically savvy and can manufacture their own illegal identification cards, employers and employees are advised to call the Department of Labour to verify if the person works for the department.

The numbers to call are 051 505 6231 / 051 505 6230 or one can email the department’s fraud line email at az.vog.ruobal@duarf or contact 0860 022 194.

Amanda Mantutle, Acting Provincial Chief Inspector for the Free State, said: “We would also like to warn employers that the only way to avert lawful punitive measures being instituted against them for noncompliance is nothing but to fully comply with all labour laws.

“If there are unbecoming findings made by the labour inspectors post the inspection, just ask as to how to comply and do just that.”

Mantutle said employers are also warned never to deposit monies into personal bank accounts of anyone, irrespective of whether it is a legitimate or illegitimate labour official, or agree to do certain favours for the person conducting the inspection in exchange for a more favourable inspection outcome.

“You do so, you do it at your own peril and thereby play right in the hands of these criminals,” Mantutle said.