Delegates at the recently concluded Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers’ Union (SACTWU) national bargaining conference condemned appalling conditions in sweatshops in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal. A joint inspection blitz led by the Department of Employment and Labour, overseen by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour, uncovered widespread labour and immigration violations in the Amajuba district on 5 February 2026. The operation exposed extreme exploitation, unsafe workplaces and slave-like practices in factories supplying major South African retailers including Mr Price, Pick’n Pay, Ackermans, Pepkor and JET, all violating labour laws and safety standards. Most workers in the factories are undocumented, SACTWU general secretary Bonita Loubser confirmed. The union is taking legal action through the courts and bargaining councils to enforce compliance with national labour laws. The Business and Human Rights Centre wrote to Mr Price, Pick’n Pay, Ackermans, Pepkor and JET asking them to respond to these allegations. Only Mr Price and JET- (The TFG (The Foschini Group) responded. Pick’n Pay, Ackermans, Pepkor did not respond. This story contains the responses received.