7 Chinese Nationals Jailed For 20 Years In South Africa Over Human Trafficking And Forced Labour

Seven Chinese nationals — Kevin Tsao, Chen Hui, Qin Li, Jiaqing Zhou, Ma Biao, Dai Junying, and Zhang Zhilian—have been sentenced to 20 years in prison by the Johannesburg High Court.

They were convicted on 158 charges of kidnapping and forced labour involving 91 Malawian nationals.

The group was found guilty in March after a lengthy trial that exposed shocking levels of exploitation and abuse.

2019 Hawks Raid Exposed Chinese Exploitation of Malawian Workers

The convictions stem from a 2019 Hawks raid on Beautiful City Pty Ltd, a factory in Village Deep, Johannesburg. During the raid, officers discovered undocumented Malawian workers — including children — forced to work in appalling conditions.

Workers were denied proper pay, leave, and basic human rights. Authorities described the conditions as “slave-like,” highlighting the severe exploitation taking place.

While the court delivered a heavy sentence, family members of the accused have spoken out. Nancy Xiao, daughter of one of the convicted traffickers, insisted her father and the others were misled.

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“We all think this is just a small problem. Nobody tells [told us] what’s going on and how serious is this [this is]. They’re lying to them, they [accused] can’t understand English, and the previous lawyer, Kruger, knows everything. They are all lying. He doesn’t know a thing.”

Despite her claims, the court ruled that the evidence overwhelmingly pointed to the deliberate exploitation of vulnerable Malawians.

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