EZULWINI – At least 19 Chinese nationals employed in a mining company in Eswatini allege that they have not been paid since their arrival in December 2024.

Government has since launched an investigation into the alleged exploitation of the Chinese nationals, who claim they were brought to Eswatini to work for the mining company, only to find themselves unpaid, unwell and stranded.

The number of the affected Chinese workers, according to their employer, is 19, while the employees themselves say there are 21 of them.

The Secretariat for the Prevention of People Trafficking and People Smuggling under the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that a probe is underway to establish whether the workers are victims of human trafficking and forced labour.

The men were reportedly recruited in China to work for Pinnacoal, a mining company operating in Mpaka, Lubombo Region. They arrived in Eswatini on December 6, 2024, after being promised monthly salaries of E50 000 each. Ten months later, they claim they have not received any payment and that their passports were allegedly confiscated by their employer.

Globally, when an employee leaves their home country to work abroad, they must navigate complex legal, financial and logistical changes related to their immigration status, taxation and employee benefits.

Both the employer and the employee have responsibilities in this process, which can be significantly different for a long-term relocation compared to a temporary remote work arrangement.

The workers told this publication that they live in makeshift housing near the mining site, sharing tiny rooms without sanitation, electricity or running water. They said they cook over open fires and survive on one meal a day.

“We have not been paid since we arrived last year. We cannot go home because our passports were taken. We have families in China waiting for us, but we are trapped here,” they stated.

One of the workers said he suffers from a heart condition and needs medication to thin his blood.

“I asked the employer to take me to hospital, but she refused. My health is deteriorating,” he said. A third employee, who said he is diabetic, explained that he has repeatedly asked for medical help but has allegedly been ignored.

“We asked to be taken to either Mbabane or Manzini for treatment, but she said no. We are suffering,” he said quietly.

Another said: “We are sick and tired. We just want to go home. We have been patient for too long,” said one of the workers.

They thanked local residents near the mining site who have been bringing them food and water.

“If it were not for emaSwati around here, we would have died of hunger,” another worker said.

The men said they reported their situation to the Royal Eswatini Police Service on September 10, 2025, after their numerous requests for payment were ignored.

Their frustration reached a boiling point yesterday when the group marched to their employer’s residence in Ezulwini to demand their wages and passports.

Carrying a banner, the workers stood outside the gate chanting and calling for Lezheng, the company’s director, to address them. Neighbours, alarmed by the commotion, called the police.

When officers arrived, they found the employees at the gate. Witnesses said the director appeared irritated and questioned why police had been called. After a brief argument, she asked that she be allowed to deal with the matter privately.

The police persuaded her to speak to both the employees and officers and the situation later calmed down.

Deputy Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni confirmed that officers had responded to the incident.

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19 Chinese Mine Workers Left Stranded in Eswatini
By Sibusiso Shange | October 8, 2025

EZULWINI – Nineteen Chinese nationals employed at a mining company in Eswatini say they have been left destitute, unpaid, and without travel documents since their arrival in the country nearly a year ago.

The workers allege that they were recruited in China with promises of lucrative salaries—reportedly E50,000 per month—before being flown to Eswatini on December 6, 2024, to work at Pinnacoal Mine in Mpaka, Lubombo Region. Ten months later, however, they claim they have yet to receive a single payment.

According to the employees, their passports were taken by the company upon arrival, leaving them unable to return home. While the employer insists the affected group numbers 19, the workers themselves say there are 21 of them.

The Secretariat for the Prevention of People Trafficking and Smuggling, under the Prime Minister’s Office, has confirmed that an investigation is underway to determine whether the men are victims of forced labour or human trafficking.

Harsh living conditions
The group told this newspaper that they are housed in cramped shacks near the mining site, without electricity, sanitation, or running water. They cook over open fires and often survive on a single meal per day.

“If not for the generosity of local residents bringing us food and water, we would have starved,” one of the men said.

Several workers are also in urgent need of medical attention. One suffers from a heart condition requiring blood-thinning medication, while another is diabetic. Both allege that repeated requests to their employer for hospital visits in Mbabane or Manzini have been ignored.

A growing dispute
The men reported their plight to the Royal Eswatini Police Service on September 10, 2025, after months of unanswered pleas for wages. Tensions escalated this week when the workers marched to the home of company director Lezheng in Ezulwini, demanding the return of their passports and payment of their salaries.

Carrying a banner, they gathered outside the gate chanting and calling for the director to face them. Alarmed neighbours contacted the police, who arrived to de-escalate the situation.

Deputy Chief Police Information and Communications Officer, Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni, confirmed that officers responded to the incident.

Witnesses say the director appeared irritated when confronted but eventually agreed, under police persuasion, to speak with the employees.

Government probe
Globally, migrant workers face unique legal and logistical challenges when relocating abroad, from immigration rules to financial obligations. In this case, authorities are working to determine whether the situation in Eswatini amounts to exploitation.

The stranded workers say they no longer wish to fight for employment—only to return home.

“We are sick and tired. We just want to go back to China. We have waited too long,” said one of the men.