Fourteen South African nationals, all in their early twenties, are set to be deported from Thailand back to South Africa after being detained under circumstances now mired in allegations of fraud, forced labor, and inhumane treatment.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) confirmed the impending repatriation. Department spokesperson Chrispin Phiri stated the individuals are due to be returned to South Africa, though the exact timeline was not specified.
The group’s ordeal began when they were recruited by a South African man for what they believed were legitimate employment opportunities in Thailand’s information technology sector. However, upon arrival, their situations allegedly diverged drastically from the promised terms.
According to the information provided, some of the young people were coerced into performing scamming activities, while others were allegedly deployed to the military. The details of their military involvement remain unclear.
Disturbing accounts of their detention have emerged from families back home. A family member of one detainee, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals, stated the group has been refused any form of communication with the outside world and is being held in what they described as “inhumane conditions.”
This testimony was underscored by a separate, emotional appeal from a source familiar with the detainees’ situation. In a recorded statement, the source claimed, “South Africans in Thailand, they are in prison.” They detailed poor health among the detainees, stating, “Two ladies, they are not in a good situation. They are sick… the food that they eat there it make them sick and also the water.” The source implored the South African government to intervene urgently, highlighting the distress faced by the families.
The specific legal charges leading to their pending deportation relate to immigration violations. The source indicated the detainees “face the charges to overstay.”
DIRCO has not commented on the specific allegations of scamming, military deployment, or the conditions of detention, focusing instead on the confirmation of the deportation process. The identity of the South African recruiter and his current whereabouts are unknown, raising questions about a potential human trafficking operation.
The case has highlighted the vulnerabilities of young job seekers to international recruitment scams and the dire consequences of overstaying visas in foreign countries. As the deportation proceeds, families await the return of their children and seek answers about the exploitation they allegedly endured.