KEY POINTS
- The sentencing of seven Chinese nationals convicted of human trafficking and child labour has been postponed to April 29, 2025, due to the defence’s need to study the judgment and obtain medical evidence for one of the accused.
- The accused were found guilty of 160 counts, including human trafficking, forced labour, and multiple labour law violations, following their arrest in 2019 for exploiting workers, including minors, in a Johannesburg factory.
- The case highlights the growing issue of human trafficking in South Africa and underscores the need for stronger enforcement of labour laws and protections for vulnerable workers.
The sentencing of seven Chinese nationals convicted of human trafficking and child labour has been postponed to April 29, 2025, after their defence counsel requested additional time to prepare.
The chinese nationals, who were found guilty on February 25 on 160 counts, including human trafficking, forced labour, and violations of South African labour laws, appeared in the Johannesburg High Court on Friday, March 7.
Advocate Jannie Kruger, representing the chinese nationals, cited the need to thoroughly study the court’s judgment and obtain medical evidence for one of the defendants, Dai Junying, who reportedly suffered a stroke.
“We are still reviewing the judgment and require time to gather medical evidence for accused number six, who has been hit by a stroke,” Kruger told the court. The judge granted the postponement, allowing the defence to prepare adequately for the sentencing phase.
The seven chinese nationals —Kevin Tsao Shu-Uei, Chen Hui, Qin Li, Jiaqing Zhou, Ma Biao, Zhang Zhilian, and Dai Junying—were arrested in November 2019 during a joint operation by the Department of Employment and Labour, the police, and the Department of Home Affairs.
According to the Timeslive, the raid took place at their company, Beautiful City Pty Ltd, located in Village Deep, Johannesburg.
Authorities discovered minors and illegal immigrants working in deplorable conditions at the factory, which produced cotton fibre sheets.
“The joint operation uncovered illegal immigrants, some of whom were minors, working under horror conditions and kept in the locked premises of Beautiful City,” the Department of Employment and Labour stated in a press release.
The accused were charged with a range of offences, including human trafficking, aiding illegal immigration, and multiple violations of labour laws, such as failing to register with the Compensation Fund and maintain safe working conditions.
Defence seeks time to study judgment
During the trial, the court heard harrowing testimonies from victims who described being subjected to long hours, poor living conditions, and restricted movement.
The case has drawn significant attention as it highlights the pervasive issue of human trafficking and modern slavery in South Africa.
Dai Junying, who is out on medical grounds, attended the hearing in a wheelchair. The other six accused remain in custody.
The postponement has sparked mixed reactions, with some expressing frustration over the delay in justice, while others acknowledge the need for a fair and thorough legal process.
This case is part of a broader global trend of rising human trafficking and forced labour cases, exacerbated by poverty, conflict, and weak enforcement of labour laws.
South Africa, as a regional economic hub, has seen an increase in such cases, prompting calls for stricter regulations and better enforcement mechanisms.
The sentencing, now scheduled for April 29, is expected to set a precedent for similar cases in the country.
