Seven Chinese nationals have been sentenced to 20 years in prison each for operating a human trafficking ring out of a Johannesburg factory where they subjected dozens of Malawian nationals, including children, to forced labour and inhumane conditions.
The landmark ruling, delivered in the Gauteng South Division of the High Court, saw the four men and three women convicted on 160 counts, including human trafficking, kidnapping, debt bondage, and violating numerous labour laws.
The case highlights the severe issue of human trafficking in South Africa, which is considered a source, transit, and destination country for victims. Government officials have hailed the sentences as a major victory against modern-day slavery.
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Appalling conditions at illegal factory
The convictions stem from a joint operation on 12 November 2019, when a tip-off from an escaped worker led the South African Police Service’s Hawks unit, the Department of Home Affairs, and the Department of Employment and Labour to raid an illegal factory named Beautiful City (Pty) Ltd in Village Deep, Johannesburg.
Inside, authorities discovered 91 Malawian nationals, including 37 children, some as young as 14. The victims, who were smuggled into the country in shipping containers, were forced to work 11-hour shifts, seven days a week, without proper safety equipment. They were paid far below the national minimum wage, confined to the heavily guarded premises, and lived in appalling conditions. Testimonies revealed that workers were not allowed to leave, had their pay docked for time off, and were given food unfit for human consumption. This case is a stark example of the exploitation involved in human trafficking.
The seven convicted individuals are Shu-Uei Tsao, Biao Ma, Hui Chen, Quin Li, Zhou Jiaquing, Junying Dai, and Zhilian Zhang. In addition to their 20-year prison sentences, the business entity, Beautiful Life (Pty) Ltd., was fined R300,000. Acting Judge David Mhango described the offences as among the “gravest crimes a court could deal with.”
Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth, praised the collaboration between government departments, stating, “This sends a strong message to those who think they can continue with exploitative practices and fail to comply with labour laws.” The fight against human trafficking remains a priority for law enforcement and government agencies across the country.
Image: Sergei-Q / iStock
