In a recent development, TANG Restaurant, a high-end restaurant located in the heart of Sandton, was one of several Gauteng eateries subject to a raid by the Department of Home Affairs and the Department of Labour.

• The operation, aimed at verifying the employment status of workers and ensuring compliance with South African labour laws, has sparked widespread media attention.
• In response, TANG Hospitality Group has reaffirmed its commitment to full compliance with all relevant laws and regulations, addressing the raid and media reports directly.
• In a statement, the group highlighted its adherence to South African labour laws, underscoring its diligent employment practices and commitment to lawful processes.

According to a recent media statement issued by TANG Hospitality, which includes locations in Sandton and Cape Town, the restaurant group is a fully compliant member of the Bargaining Council Agreement for the Restaurant, Catering, and Allied Trades in the Johannesburg area, as per Government Gazette R. 4751, dated 26 April 2024.

TANG is a law-abiding employer that strictly follows South African labour regulations. We employ rigorous steps to ensure that our staff members are fully qualified and meet all legal requirements. This is not only a legal obligation but a reflection of our core values of honesty, integrity, and respect.

// CEO and Founder of TANG, Nicky van der Walt

According to TANG, their recruitment process requires applicants to submit essential documentation, including certified copies of South African Identity Documents or, for foreign nationals, valid work permits, passports, or asylum papers. Proof of bank accounts and tax numbers are also mandatory, and all information is verified before any hiring decision is made. New employees must confirm the authenticity of their documents when signing employment agreements, a further step in ensuring compliance.

Furthermore, TANG Hospitality conducts regular internal audits and compliance checks, verifying that all employee documentation remains valid, according to a media statement. In addition, the Department of Employment and Labour regularly inspects TANG’s operations to ensure ongoing compliance. These rigorous checks serve as a safeguard, ensuring that the group remains fully aligned with South African laws, advises the restaurant group.

With over 300 employees across its locations, TANG has been a compliant member of the Bargaining Council since opening in 2021. The group’s commitment to best practices extends to its remuneration structure, with staff receiving fair compensation under a commission structure approved by the Bargaining Council. The group also ensures that minimum wage laws are strictly adhered to.

TANG has provided transparency about its waitstaff earnings, reporting that in June 2024, the average earnings for a waiter at TANG were R21’971.76, with July seeing R20’123.47, and August reaching R21’805.16. Some waitstaff even earned up to R60’000 per month in commission and tips, making them some of the highest-paid in the industry.

In addition to compliance with labour laws, the media statement advises that TANG prioritizes health and safety standards, achieving an exemplary score of over 98% in this area. During the raid, questions were raised regarding gas certification at the Sandton location, which is held by the landlord. However, TANG clarified that the landlord was unavailable at the time of the inspection, and the necessary certification was already in place.

Despite their efforts, the recent raid led to the detention of four TANG employees, prompting concerns about undocumented workers. Nicky addressed these concerns directly, stating that one of the four employees has since presented a valid work permit. The remaining three individuals, whose permits had expired, were in the process of renewing their documentation at the time of the raid.

We want to be clear: this is not an issue of unlawful hiring. Three of the workers were in the process of renewing their permits, which were valid at the time of their hiring. One has already provided valid documentation.

// CEO and Founder of TANG, Nicky van der Walt

He also addressed what he described as “sensationalist” media coverage surrounding the raid.

Some media reports are engaging in sensationalist and false journalism. TANG feels like this is a personal witch hunt to tarnish TANG’s award-winning image.

// CEO and Founder of TANG, Nicky van der Walt

He further clarified that TANG’s HR Manager was never arrested nor charged with any malpractice, contrary to some media reports. Instead, she was interviewed as part of the Department of Labour’s routine checks to verify employee records.

We are proud of our team and the hard work we put in every day to create a fantastic dining experience. We will continue to prioritize lawful and ethical business practices as we move forward.

// CEO and Founder of TANG, Nicky van der Walt

TANG Hospitality has expressed its commitment to continued cooperation with government agencies and adherence to all relevant laws.

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