The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has affirmed the conviction and 18-year prison sentence of Nigerian national, Chinedu Justice Obasi, for human trafficking and contracting a sham marriage to obtain residency.
Obasi was first convicted in December 2017 on three counts, including two charges of harbouring women for exploitation and one of fraudulent marriage, and sentenced in September 2018.
Court documents revealed that between April and September 2016, Obasi harboured two women, identified as Busisiwe and Puleng, in a Pretoria flat where they were forced into prostitution.
He reportedly took their earnings, supplied them with drugs, and restricted their movements to prevent escape.
The fraudulent marriage charge stemmed from 2005, when Obasi married a South African woman but failed to live with her.
The court found the marriage was arranged solely to secure legal residency.
According to the case file, Busisiwe met Obasi in December 2015, while Puleng was introduced to him through Busisiwe in May 2016. Both women were subsequently exploited under his control and that of his co-accused.
On appeal, Obasi claimed the trial court overlooked his personal circumstances and failed to properly weigh evidence.
But presiding Judge Graham Moshoana dismissed the arguments, noting that Obasi never testified in his own defence.
Describing the matter as a case of modern-day slavery, Judge Moshoana stressed that human trafficking thrives on the vulnerability of people facing poverty, lack of education and desperation.
He ruled that Obasi must continue serving his 18-year jail term.