Extortion of foreign domestic workers and gardeners?

Amid xenophobia and threats to foreign nationals, an incident in Johannesburg’s northern suburbs has sparked alarm among residents. A domestic worker was allegedly detained by men in a police van and forced to pay for her release. 

On 22 May, the Malawian employee of freelancer and mother Montanna Shapiro was on her way to work, walking past Genesis in Fairmount, when individuals believed to be police officers in a van stopped her. 

They questioned her about her occupation and employer before allegedly taking her into the vehicle and driving her around for hours. 

“The so-called officers never asked for identification, nationality, or any official documentation. Instead, they asked strange questions such as what her profession was and whether she wears a uniform,” said Shapiro. 

Once inside the vehicle, she says, the woman was driven around and told to contact her employer to request a payment of R1 500 for her release. She was reportedly not taken to a police station and was told that payment should be made to meet halfway. 

“During this time we tried to establish her exact location. We sent airtime and data so she could share her live location with us, but communication became difficult and at times was interrupted. My husband attempted to follow the vehicle while staying in contact with her. Her husband was also able to communicate with her and provided limited location updates,” said Shapiro. 

Eventually, her husband sent an eWallet payment, and after it was withdrawn at a nearby First National Bank ATM, the domestic worker was dropped off at the Sandringham Spar and walked back to Shapiro’s home. 

“She was extremely frightened and distressed throughout the experience. From our communication with her, she sounded scared, confused, and unsure of what would happen next,” said Shapiro. 

“This is a scam by people taking advantage of the confusion surrounding the employment of foreign workers who, typically, have a visitor’s permit but not a work visa,” said Johannesburg attorney Roy Bregman. “It is a criminal offence to employ someone who is not South African and who does not have a work permit.” 

Shapiro said the incident shook the whole family. “It was extremely distressing and overwhelming. The most difficult part was not knowing where she was and trying to ensure her safety while the situation was unfolding. We have ensured she is safe, supported, and not alone in processing what happened. We have remained in close contact with her and immediately reported the incident to the Anti-Fraud and Corruption Hotline for guidance and documentation,” she said. 

After the incident, Shapiro shared a warning in a Jewish community Facebook group for families with domestic workers, gardeners, and other staff in the area. She received close to 60 responses detailing similar incidents that had happened to other families. 

“Many of the reports shared with us involved foreign nationals from neighbouring countries who come to South Africa to work and support their families,” she said. 

One gardener allegedly had to pay R3 500 in a similar incident the previous week. 

“This was especially concerning because for many workers this amount represents a large portion of, or even an entire month’s salary,” said Shapiro. “Some community members also reported similar alleged incidents involving their staff around the same time, including claims that multiple workers may have been involved.” 

Another family reported an incident the week prior, allegedly in a different area. 

“These are accounts shared by members of the public and have not been independently verified by us, but the consistency and volume of reports have been deeply concerning,” she said. 

One anonymous employer of a Zimbabwean domestic worker explained that her worry was fed by the rising tensions lately, with a looming deadline of 30 June set by several anti-immigration groups demanding that undocumented migrants leave South Africa. 

Her domestic worker and husband are both undocumented. “From what I understand, it’s too late. There’s nothing you can do, and you shouldn’t employ them,” she said. 

She had offered for her domestic worker to stay at her home, but the woman had opted to go back to Zimbabwe and wait things out. 

This employer said the situation is ringing alarm bells for her. 

“What’s happening is that foreigners are being made scapegoats. This isn’t being driven by government policy but by groups that have united around an anti-immigrant agenda. They argue that foreigners are taking jobs, but my concern is that they’re being blamed for broader social and economic problems. The government has made it clear that people cannot simply take the law into their own hands, yet these actions continue. 

“They are doing this now and then one little hop, skip, and a jump to the Jews. That’s what we’ve seen; that’s why all our grandparents fled this. Now it’s happening to Africans, who are in our homes,” she said. 

“What has been most distressing is how vulnerable domestic workers, gardeners, and other labourers are while travelling to and from work. They often have limited resources and limited protection and are easily targeted because of their circumstances,” said Shapiro.