Chinese nationals back in court over human trafficking charges
Seven Chinese nationals face 160 counts, many of them relating to the violation of labour laws in South Africa
The matter continued the previous week, but had to be adjourned because Chichewe and Mandarin interpreters were not available at the time.
The accused – Kevin Tsao, Chen Hui, Qin Li, Jiaqing Zhou, Ma Biao, Dai Junying and Zhang Zhilian – have already been indicted on charges of human trafficking, debt bondage, kidnapping and pointing of a firearm.
The four men and three women were nabbed in November 2019 as part of a sting operation conducted by the department’s Inspection and Enforcement Services (IES) branch in Gauteng, the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Department of Home Affairs and the Hawks.
Seven Chinese nationals, who were arrested for human trafficking, have pleaded not guilty.
The accused appeared in the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg.
They face 160 charges, including human trafficking, kidnapping and the violation of labour laws.
Seven Chinese nationals, who were arrested for human trafficking, have pleaded not guilty.
Kevin Tsao, Dai Junying, Chen Hui, Qin Li, Jiaqing Zhou, Ma Biao and Zhang Zhilian appeared in the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg on Monday for their trial.
They face 160 charges, including counts of human trafficking, kidnapping and the violation of labour laws.
They were arrested on 12 November 2019, following an operation between the Department of Employment and Labour s inspection and enforcement services branch in Gauteng, the police, the Department of Home Affairs and the Hawks, News24 previously reported.
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Human trafficking trial set to begin
By Anelisa Kubheka
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DURBAN - The formal trial against seven Chinese nationals charged with human trafficking and violating South African labour laws is expected to begin on Wednesday in the South Gauteng High Court.
This was after the matter was postponed on Monday due to the non-availability of Chichewe and Mandarin interpreters.
The seven were arrested for allegedly running an illegal enterprise called Beautiful City Pty Ltd located at Village Deep in Johannesburg.
They were arrested in a November 2019 joint operation conducted by the Department of Employment and Labour’s Inspection and Enforcement Services (IES) in partnership with the South African Police Services (SAPS), Department of Home Affairs and the police’s Hawks Unit.
defenceWeb
Written by SANews -
Suspected human trafficking victim.
The formal trial of seven Chinese nationals arrested on alleged human trafficking and violation of South Africa’s labour laws is expected to start this week in the Johannesburg High Court.
This comes after its commencement was on Monday postponed due to the non-availability of Chichewe and Mandarin interpreters, the Department of Employment and Labour said in a statement.
The seven were arrested in November 2019 at a warehouse in Johannesburg during a joint operation conducted by the Department’s Inspection and Enforcement Services (IES) branch in Gauteng, together with the police, Home Affairs and the Hawks.