Four foreigners who trained employees of the Gupta family's ANN7 news channel were ordered to leave South Africa, Beeld reported on Tuesday.
In a written reply to a parliamentary question, Home Affairs Minister Naledi Pandor said the department had responded "immediately" to allegations that foreigners without work permits were in charge of the news channel.
According to a complaint received by the department, there were eight employees without work permits.
A preliminary investigation by the department established that eight employees had visitor's permits, and that they were in the country legally.
Under the conditions of their permits they were allowed to attend business meetings.
"The department established that four of the eight foreigners had left the country and that the remaining four provided training to employees of ANN7 but were not on their payroll," Pandor said.
"Even though ANN7 did not regard them as employees, and though they were not receiving compensation, the department determined that they had overstepped their permit conditions. They were ordered to leave the country." – Sapa