Human trafficking:7 Chinese nationals' sentencing postponed
The case against seven Chinese nationals accused of human trafficking and running a Johannesburg sweatshop has been postponed to the end of next month.
The accused are Shu-Uei Tsao (42), Biao Ma, Hui Chen (50), Quin Li (56), Zhou Jiaquing (46), Junying Dai (58), Zhilian Zhang (51), and Beautiful City (PTY) LTD represented by accused one to seven.
The group appeared briefly in the High Court in Johannesburg on Friday, where sentencing proceedings were expected to begin.
Last week, the court found all seven accused guilty of 158 of the 160 charges relating to the trafficking of illegal immigrants into South Africa and subjecting them to forced labour.
READ MORE: Seven found guilty of human trafficking, forced labour
The police received a tip-off about an illegal factory employing foreign nationals, prompting them to conduct a raid.
During the blitz at the accused’s Beautiful City factory, 91 Malawian nationals were found in the establishment.
Thirty-seven were children.
According to the police’s account, the victims were confined to the premises under inhumane conditions, with armed guards controlling their movements.
“The victims were forced to work 11-hour shifts, seven days a week, without proper training or safety equipment,” Mjonondwane added.
All but one of the accused, who is out on bail for medical reasons, were remanded in custody before sentencing.
The matter was postponed to 29 and 30 April.
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