​​​The seven Chinese nationals who were arrested last November for alleged human trafficking and violation of South Africa's labour laws were today denied bail in the long-drawn hearing.

The accused are: Kevin Tsao, Chen Hui, Qin Li, Jiaqing Zhou, Ma Biao, Dai Junying, and Zhang Zhilian. The Chinese nationals were operating a factory called Beautiful City (Pty) Ltd located at Village Deep in Johannesburg.

The seven Chinese nationals - four males and three females were arrested on 12 November 2019 in a joint operation conducted by the Department of Employment and Labour's Inspection and Enforcement Services (IES) branch in Gauteng together with the South African Police Service (SAPS), Home Affairs and the Hawks Unit. The arrests followed a tip-off that the Chinese nationals were allegedly involved in the trafficking of illegal immigrants into South Africa and subjecting them to forced labour.

During the blitz 91 Malawian nationals were found in the factory, 37 of them were children. The Court has since heard that the Malawians working in the factory were transported to South Africa using containers. The Malawians are alleged to have been brought to South Africa by a middleman known as “the transporter" who is still on the run.

In an affidavit submitted by the SAPS/Hawks in Court, the authorities intend to charge the accused with schedule six offences. The accused will face charges ranging from human trafficking, debt bondage, kidnapping and pointing of a firearm.

The accused have been remanded in custody. They will appear again in Court on April 30.

For more information contact:

Teboho Thejane

Departmental Spokesperson

082 697 0694

-ENDS-

Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour​