February 26, Johanessburg: Seven Chinese nationals have been convicted on 160 charges related to human trafficking and child labor in a trial held at the Gauteng South Division Court in Johannesburg. The accused—Kevin Tsao Shu-Uei, Chen Hui, Qin Li, Jiaqing Zhou, Ma Biao, Dai Junying, and Zhang Zhilian—were found guilty of various offenses linked to their management of Beautiful City Pty Ltd, a factory based in Village Deep, Johannesburg, which produced cotton fiber sheets.
Judge David Mhango highlighted several critical issues during the trial. It was established that the factory employed mainly Malawian workers, some of whom were illegal immigrants in South Africa. Many of these workers suffered injuries while working under hazardous conditions, and the factory operated in violation of South Africa’s labor laws. The workers were found to be working excessively, from Monday to Sunday, for wages below the National Minimum Wage (NMW), which is a legal requirement in the country.
In his ruling, Judge Mhango emphasized the seriousness of the violations, pointing out the failure of the accused to comply with several statutory requirements. These included not registering with the Compensation Fund, not maintaining proper records, failing to submit earnings reports, and neglecting to report workplace injuries or safety hazards. The factory also failed to register with the Unemployment Insurance Fund Commissioner, and the accused were involved in human trafficking and other crimes, such as benefiting from illegal workers and aiding them to remain in South Africa.
The seven accused were arrested on November 12, 2019, during a joint operation by the Department of Employment and Labour’s Inspection and Enforcement Services (IES) branch, the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Hawks Unit, and the Department of Home Affairs. The operation revealed that the factory was not only employing illegal immigrants but also minors who were working under brutal conditions, with some being locked inside the factory premises.
Advocate Michael Msiza, the Gauteng Provincial Chief Inspector of the Department of Employment and Labour, stated that the verdict marked a significant moment in South African labor law. He emphasized that the ruling would serve as a stern warning to employers who continue to exploit illegal workers, underscoring that such practices would not be tolerated.
While six of the accused remain in custody, Dai Junying, one of the individuals involved, has been released on bail due to medical reasons. Sentencing for the convicted individuals will take place on March 7, 2025.
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