Domestic worker flees with R100,000 in valuables from Richards Bay home
Image: File
Shockwaves reverberated through the community of Meerensee, Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, as security firm Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) alongside the SAPS launched a manhunt for a female domestic worker who allegedly fled with valuables worth R100 000 from her employer's home.
The incident, which took place in May, and has raised concerns not only over property crime but also about the employment of undocumented workers in South Africa.
According to reports, the woman in question, identified only as "Ivyna", was captured on CCTV footage leaving her employer's residence. At the time, she was seen wheeling out of the home two large suitcases filled with expensive items.
The homeowners, who were at work when she made her getaway, returned later to discover missing property, which included a laptop, mobile phones, expensive watches, designer bags, sports shoes, and the two suitcases.
In light of the theft, the employers have expressed concern regarding her legal status in the country.
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Reports suggest that Ivyna did not provide any documentation confirming her legality during her employment, raising questions about the regulations surrounding domestic workers and employment in South Africa.
This incident coincides with increasingly vocal public sentiment against the employment of undocumented foreign nationals within the country.
A recent movement that has emerged and named the "March in March" has held protest marches against the illegal immigrants issue, calling out the lack of governmental action.
The movement claimed that illegal immigrants are often involved in various criminal activities.
These include cash-in-transit heists, illegal mining, human trafficking, and unlawful occupation of buildings in major cities, including eThekwini.
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