Seven Chinese nationals have each been sentenced to 20 years in prison for trafficking Malawian nationals into South Africa and subjecting them to forced labour under exploitative conditions. The convictions come nearly six years after their arrest, following a raid on a factory in Johannesburg where 91 Malawians including 37 children were discovered working in inhumane circumstances.
The group, comprising four men and three women, faced 160 charges related to human trafficking, kidnapping, harbouring illegal immigrants, and multiple labour law violations. They were found guilty on 158 counts. Investigations revealed that the victims had been smuggled into South Africa in shipping containers before being forced into exploitative employment.
Authorities uncovered that the workers endured 11-hour shifts, seven days a week, without training, protective gear, or adequate pay. Their wages fell well below the legal minimum of Ksh 212 per hour, and any requests for time off resulted in deductions. South African labour regulations stipulate a maximum of nine working hours per day and guarantee a weekly rest period of at least 36 consecutive hours, rights that were blatantly ignored in this case.
The victims were confined to the heavily guarded factory premises, prohibited from leaving even to purchase food. Testimonies described the meals provided as dirty and unsuitable for human consumption. The factory, known as Beautiful City, produced inner cottons for blankets using recycled material, with the convicted individuals acting as managers and supervisors.
The breakthrough in the case came after one worker managed to escape and alert authorities. This led to the 2019 raid carried out by South Africa’s Department of Labour in collaboration with law enforcement. The operation highlighted how porous borders and weak enforcement mechanisms have made South Africa both a destination and transit point for trafficking networks.
The prosecuting authority hailed the judgment as a significant milestone in the ongoing fight against human trafficking, emphasizing that the ruling sends a strong message to those seeking to exploit vulnerable individuals. The Department of Labour has since called for greater inter-agency collaboration to eradicate such practices and strengthen protections for migrant and local workers alike.
This landmark sentencing not only provides justice for the Malawian victims but also reinforces South Africa’s commitment to tackling human trafficking and safeguarding fundamental labour rights.
