Restaurant Raid in Pretoria Exposes Exploitation Allegations

The Babel restaurant in Menlyn, Pretoria, was raided by the Department of Labour on Sunday following serious allegations of employee exploitation. This intervention led to the arrest of the restaurant’s owner and two employees for immigration-related offences. The owner was charged with employing undocumented migrants, while the two employees were charged with working without the necessary legal documentation.

The raid was initiated after a former employee, Mihlali Nobavu, shared a viral video on social media detailing alleged mistreatment within the restaurant. She claimed that her employment lacked a formal contract and that she had no basic salary, relying solely on tips shared with a runner. Furthermore, she stated that she worked long hours, from 1 PM to 2 AM, without any scheduled breaks, all while purchasing her own work-related supplies, such as uniforms and tools.

In response to the social media uproar, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) announced plans to visit the restaurant for further investigation. The restaurant’s HR consultant, Itumeleng Kgogome, acknowledged the allegations and assured the public that they are being reviewed with the aim of resolving any issues.

The Department of Labour inspectors discovered two undocumented workers during the raid, which also revealed other operational infractions. Viwe Mlenzana, the Director-General of the Labour Department, reported that the restaurant’s operations were halted due to non-compliance with gas installation and structural safety standards, posing risks to both employees and patrons.

The Babel restaurant’s management refuted the allegations, asserting that it ranks among the top-performing establishments in the country. However, they cited high employee turnover as a challenge in consistently maintaining proper documentation for all staff members.

The Department of Labour emphasized that any establishment employing undocumented workers should expect similar consequences, including potential fines and shutdowns, until necessary compliance measures are implemented.