- Court confirms conviction and 18-year sentence for trafficker.Â
- Survivors’ testimonies reveal coercion, manipulation, and abuse of vulnerability.Â
- Judgment validates victims’ experiences and strengthens protection for vulnerable women.Â
For two young women, waking up in a small, sparsely furnished flat in Sunnyside, Pretoria, meant stepping into a world where every move was dictated, every choice monitored, and every breath shadowed by fear.
This was a life that tragically illustrates why South Africa must continue its fight for justice for human trafficking victims. They could not walk outside freely, could not decide when to eat, or visit a salon, or even leave the apartment without permission. Their autonomy was stripped away, and their bodies and lives were controlled for profit.
Each day began with the looming presence of Chinesi Justice Obasi, who orchestrated their lives through fear, coercion, and manipulation. The women were forced into prostitution to cover the cost of board, lodging, and the drugs he supplied, which kept them dependent and compliant.
Their phones were constantly monitored. Every attempt at autonomy was met with punishment or intimidation. Economic hardship, social displacement, and addiction were weaponised against them, leaving them trapped in a cycle of exploitation.
Survivors achieve justice for human trafficking victims
In the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, the women recounted their experiences with remarkable courage. They described how coercion and fear dictated their daily routines, and how drugs deepened their dependency. Judge GN Moshoana, with Acting Judge LPG Ledwaba and Judge MD Lenyai in agreement, recognised the power of their testimony, noting that it demonstrated the “typical relationship between a trafficker and a victim.” By centering the women’s voices, the court ensured that their suffering was not dismissed and that accountability would be enforced, critical steps toward achieving justice for human trafficking victims.
Conviction and sentence: Legal accountability for exploitation
Obasi was convicted on two counts of human trafficking for harbouring and exploiting the women, and one count of immigration fraud for a sham marriage aimed at obtaining residency. The High Court dismissed his appeal, reinforcing that trafficking is a “modern-day form of slavery” enabled by abuse of vulnerability. The effective 18-year prison sentence was upheld, affirming that justice had been properly served and that perpetrators of exploitation will face consequences.
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