Johannesburg – Seven Chinese nationals have been convicted on 158 out of 160 charges related to the kidnapping and forced labour of 91 Malawian nationals in Johannesburg’s CBD.
The Johannesburg High Court found the accused guilty of kidnapping, human trafficking, debt bondage, and labour law violations, following a case presented by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
Hawks Operation Uncovers Trafficking Ring
The group was arrested in 2019 during a Hawks-led multidisciplinary operation that exposed a trafficking network exploiting Malawian victims under inhumane conditions.
The court acquitted the accused on two charges, but witness statements from both the state and the defence painted a grim picture of forced labour and appalling living conditions endured by the victims.
Further legal proceedings, including sentencing, are expected to follow as authorities clamp down on human trafficking and modern-day slavery in South Africa.