Chinese nationals get 20 years jail for human trafficking and child labour
Court Case
Seven Chinese nationals appeared at the South Gauteng High Court on Wednesday, where they were sentenced to 20 years in prison each for human trafficking, kidnapping, and forced labor
Image: X/DmJomo
SEVEN Chinese nationals have been sentenced to 20 years in prison by the South Gauteng High Court for their involvement in a shocking human trafficking and child labour operation in Johannesburg.
This high-profile case, which has drawn significant public attention, highlights the urgent need to combat human trafficking and protect vulnerable individuals in South Africa.
The group, comprising four men and three women—Kevin Tsao Shu-Uei, Chen Hui, Qin Li, Jiaqing Zhou, Ma Biao, Dai Junying, and Zhang Zhilian—faced a staggering 160 charges, including human trafficking, child labour, and numerous violations of South Africa’s labour laws.
Their conviction on February 25, 2025, serves as a stark reminder of the serious consequences of exploiting vulnerable populations and the ongoing battle against human trafficking in the region.
The multiple labour laws include failing to register their business, keeping financial records, or maintaining safe working conditions.
The group was arrested in November 2019, after a joint raid conducted by the SAPS, Hawks, Department of Employment and Labour, and Home Affairs following a tip-off of the group allegedly involved in trafficking illegal immigrants to South Africa and subjecting them to forced labour.
Their business, Beautiful City Pty Ltd, an unregistered garment manufacturing company based in Village Deep in Johannesburg, was found to be holding over 100 illegal immigrants, including children, in the locked premises of the business.
The raid uncovered exploitation, human trafficking and child labour. During the raid, officials also uncovered 91 Malawian nationals in the factory, of which 37 were children. During the trial, it was revealed that the Malawians were smuggled into South Africa in containers.
Last week, probation officers recommended direct imprisonment as the most appropriate sentence for seven after they were convicted of human trafficking, child labour, and multiple violations of South Africa’s labour laws.
The recommendation was presented before the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg as part of pre-sentencing reports designed to assist the court in determining suitable penalties.
The probation officers emphasised that, given the gravity of the crimes, imprisonment was the only proportionate response, urging the court to weigh the severity of harm caused and the offenders’ culpability.
Two of the accused have prior criminal convictions.
The charges stem from the operation of “Beautiful City Pty Ltd,” an unregistered garment manufacturing enterprise based in Village Deep, Johannesburg. A joint raid on 12 November 2019 — conducted by the Department of Employment and Labour, SAPS Hawks, and the Department of Home Affairs following a tip-off — uncovered systemic exploitation, including child labour and human trafficking. | Additional reporting by the Sunday Independent.
robin.francke@iol.co.za