Chinese Nationals Sentenced for Human Trafficking As Daughter Claims Kingpin Is Free During Outburst

• Seven Chinese nationals were sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment in the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg
• A daughter of one of the convicted individuals claimed that the real kingpin of the crimes was still living in South Africa
• South Africans shared their opinions on the sentencing and Nancy Xiao's claims after the seven were sentenced for human trafficking

Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.

GAUTENG – Seven Chinese nationals have been sentenced to 20 years behind bars, but according to a family member, the real kingpin is still at large.

Kevin Tsao Shu-Uei (42), Chen Hui (54), Qin Li (60), Jiaqing Zhou (51), Ma Biao (62), Dai Junying (63), and Zhang Zhilian (56) were found guilty in February 2025 on 160 charges.

The charges relate to human trafficking, child labor, assisting undocumented immigrants to remain in South Africa, aiding and facilitating human trafficking, and benefiting from the exploitation of victims.

They were officially sentenced in the Gauteng High Court on 10 September 2025, and their company was also ordered to pay a fine of R300,000.

Chaos erupts in court following sentencing

While the Chinese nationals showed no reaction upon hearing their fate, a daughter of one of the accused didn’t hold back from sharing her thoughts.

Nancy Xiao, the daughter of one of the group, claimed that her mother and co-accused were being framed, stating that a powerful kingpin was actually responsible for the crimes.

“The real owner is right here in this country - they are lying. I tell you that the big boss, he has a gun-related background in this Chinese community in South Africa. He’s living in this country,” she said.

Police attempted to usher her out of the courtroom while journalists tried to get more details from her.

Why were the group arrested?

The seven people were arrested in 2019 following a Hawks-led operation at a factory in Johannesburg that operated under the company name Beautiful City (Pty) Ltd. Police found 91 Malawians on the premises, 37 of whom were children. They were smuggled into the country in shipping containers.

Police explained that they worked in dusty conditions with no ventilation and were being paid R65 per day for seven days a week of work, with no rest or leave. The Chinese nationals, who ran the factory, made numerous court appearances before they were eventually found guilty.

The Hawks have been working diligently to combat the scourge of human trafficking in South Africa. In January 2024, the unit warned that Gauteng was becoming the centre of human trafficking, after undocumented foreigners were found in a home in Centurion.

How did South Africans react to the claims?

While some welcomed the sentencing, other social media users urged Xiao to provide details about who the boss was.

Niklas Tshimangadzo KhoroMuedi noted:

“Lol, it's now that they are caught that they are trying to spill beans? Why didn't they spill the beans then?”

Abigail Jagels asked:

“Now, why doesn't she name the big boss?”

Trinity Kea stated:

“This Nancy should know that it is an offence to withhold crucial information that could prevent or solve a crime. Bring the name and evidence.”

Sihle Mcophele urged:

“Name the big boss.”

Sue Hyman said:

“We do need the big bosses of these rings. They are probably linked in some way to some politician.”

Mokgadi Valrie Rakubu added:

“Then do the right thing and name them.”

Charmaine Bell stated:

“I’m wondering why she waited until sentencing? Why didn't she ipimpi him when the investigation was ongoing?”

Lucia Nontuthuzelo Mtembu added:

“If my mom were in jail and I wanted her out, I was going to sing. Name and shame.”

Uganda denies having deal with United States to host deportees

Meanwhile, an official in the Ugandan government has denied that the country has a deal to host deportees from the United States. The Department of Homeland Security in the US has already deported dangerous criminals to the Kingdom of Eswatini. South Africans shared their thoughts online, with annoyance and amusement, the common reactions among citizens.

Human trafficking victims escape from Johannesburg house

In a related article, dozens of foreign nationals escaped from a house in Johannesburg in April 2025.

Briefly News reported that the young adults and teenagers were allegedly kidnapped for human trafficking purposes.

South Africans blamed porous borders for the problem after the foreign nationals escaped from the house in Lombardy East.

Source: Briefly News