The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has affirmed the conviction and 18-year prison sentence handed to a Nigerian national, Chinedu Justice Obasi, for human trafficking and entering into a fraudulent marriage to secure residency in South Africa.
Obasi, who was first convicted in December 2017 and sentenced in September 2018, faced three charges:
Two counts of harbouring women for exploitation,
One count of entering into a sham marriage for residency purposes.
Details of the Case
According to court documents cited by Independent News Eswatini, Obasi harboured two women—Busisiwe and Puleng—between April and September 2016 at a flat in Pretoria.
He allegedly forced the women into prostitution, took control of their earnings, supplied them with drugs, and restricted their movements to prevent escape.
Investigations further revealed that in 2005, Obasi entered into a marriage with a South African woman solely to gain legal residency. The court ruled that the marriage was never genuine, as the couple did not live together.
Victims’ Ordeal
Busisiwe reportedly met Obasi in December 2015, while she introduced Puleng to him in May 2016. Both eventually fell under his control alongside a co-accused, who allegedly continued their exploitation.
Appeal Dismissed
On appeal, Obasi argued that the trial court had overlooked his personal circumstances and failed to properly weigh the evidence.
However, Justice Graham Moshoana dismissed the claims, noting that Obasi had chosen not to testify in his own defence.
The judge described the case as “a clear instance of modern-day slavery.”
He stated:
“Human trafficking exists because people are vulnerable to exploitation due to poverty, lack of education and desperation. Victims are often abused, confused and disoriented. People are trafficked for sex, labour and other related reasons.”