Department of Employment and Labour - Republic of South Africa

08/14/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/14/2025 04:43

Sentencing proceedings postponed in the trial of seven Chinese nationals found guilty of human trafficking and child labour

Sentencing proceedings postponed in the trial of seven Chinese nationals found guilty of human trafficking and child labour
14 August 2025
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The Gauteng South Division Court in Johannesburg today (14 August) postponed to next month (September) the sentencing proceedings in the trial of seven Chinese nationals found guilty of human trafficking and child labour.

The seven Chinese nationals appearing in the matter are: Kevin Tsao Shu-Uei, Chen Hui, Qin Li, Jiaqing Zhou, Ma Biao, Dai Junying, and Zhang Zhilian. The accused were facing schedule six offences and were on 25 February 2025 found guilty on 160 Counts.

The Chinese nationals were found guilty of violating South Africa's labour laws by not registering with the Compensation Fund and declaring their operations; failure to keep records of their earnings; failure to submit their return on earnings; failure to pay and declare assessments; failure to maintain a safe workplace; failure to report incidents; failure to register and declare with Unemployment Insurance Fund Commissioner; failure to inform the Commissioner on Unemployment Insurance changes.

They were also found guilty of human trafficking, aiding/facilitating human trafficking, bondage, benefiting from victims of human trafficking, and assisting illegal immigrants to remain in South Africa.

The seven were arrested on 12 November 2019 in a joint operation carried out at their premises - Beautiful City Pty Ltd, based at Village Deep in Johannesburg. The joint inspection blitz was carried out by the Department of Employment and Labour's Inspection and Enforcement Services (IES) branch together with the South African Police Service (SAPS)/ Hawks Unit and the Department of Home Affairs, following a tip-off.

The accused were again remanded in custody, except for accused number six (Dai Junying), who is out on medical grounds. The matter has been postponed to 4 September 2025.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Teboho Thejane

Departmental Spokesperson

082 697 0694/ [email protected]

-ENDS-

Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour

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