Seven Chinese nationals and their company, Beautiful City (Pty) Ltd, were found guilty by the Johannesburg High Court on Tuesday, February 25, for human trafficking and multiple labor law violations following a police raid on their factory in the Village Deep area.
The accused faced 158 charges, including human trafficking, labor law breaches, and occupational safety violations. Authorities uncovered that between 2017 and 2019, the factory employed 91 undocumented Malawian workers, including 16 minors, who were subjected to forced labor, extreme exploitation, and inhumane conditions.
Judge David Mhango held the accused accountable for the abuses, while the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) praised law enforcement’s efforts in dismantling human trafficking and organized crime networks.