No job, no work permit and no money to return home – that’s the nightmare facing 50 South African youths stuck in China.
The group, who were individually hired by a dubious recruitment agency to teach English in the East, are now the subject of a criminal investigation after their passports were confiscated because they didn’t have legitimate visas.
Their parents are desperate to get them home, and it seems that not even the South African Embassy are able to help.
“Their dream job has turned into a nightmare as the kids have been accused of working in China illegally, they have had their passports confiscated and are now part of a criminal investigation.” – Derek Watts
Enticed by the opportunity to teach English in China, the group, all under the age of 25, entrusted Owen Wang, an agent claiming to represent Sanda Youth International. Before leaving South Africa the students were given student visas and told their work Visas will be issued upon arrival. With their contracts signed and sealed, the youngsters got a one way ticket to China to begin their teaching jobs.
Once in China, Wang requested everyone’s passports to enable him to finalize their work permits. Unfortunately, Wong never returned with their passports, leaving the youngsters stranded with incomplete documents, unable to work and without a means to return home to South Africa.
Owen is under criminal investigation and has been detained by Chinese authorities. Many of teachers have unknowingly been working in the country illegally.
“The schools never enquired about their working visas and never received them from Owen Wang. Instead our children were paid half their agreed upon salaries and told to hide from the police when they were investigated” – says Liza Bold, who’s 21 year old daughter, Lee-Ann, is among the detainees.
Lorraine Theron is the mother of one of the teachers and said she is worried sick about the well-being of her 19-year-old daughter, Timoné, who is stuck in a foreign country with no means whatsoever to return home.
“It all happened so fast. She was called to an interview in Krugersdorp and then Roodepoort. Then she had to submit a video showing how she would teach a class and when she was accepted she was immediately provided with a one-way ticket to China. I didn’t even have the chance to throw her a going-away party.” – says Lorraine Theron
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Some of the kids have been there since January working as teachers but in April, immigration confiscated all of their passports and they have now been living in limbo for the past 2 months.
The kid’s were all moved to a University campus and have been “detained” there while legal proceedings take place.
They are living in terrible circumstances with almost no money. They live on about R40 a day – and a plate of food and water costs nearly R45. Half of them are sick with no means to get medication. A local foreign teachers’ group, SASSAS, has been helping them with donations of food and other necessities.
“I am not allowed to do anything, I can’t go to another city… I can’t even get back to fetch my belongings that aren’t with me. And we have no money.” – Demi Fourie, one of the 50 youths stuck in China
The South African department of International relations and Cooperation have escalated the matter to Minster Lindiwe Sisulu who is negotiating with her Chinese counterpart to get the kids back home.
“The minister will need to count on the strong diplomatic relationship between South Africa and China to further the cause because the reality is the South African government cannot legally interfere with another country’s sovereignty.” – Derek Watts
The kid’s parents have helped where they can by supporting their children with food & basic necessities but some parents are just not in a position to pay for their flight tickets back home.
Carte Blanche investigated the matter which brought the attention of the story to many South Africans who are now trying to assist to get the kids back.
A crowdfunding page was opened on Monday afternoon to try raise funds to get the kids back home, when they eventually get their passports back.
“The funds are for flight tickets for the kids who’s parents cannot afford to pay for their kids flight tickets back home when we get their passports back. They might get their passports back next week but it could also be in a months time we still don’t know.”
In just 2 days, over R23 000 has been raised, but they are going to need a lot more to get the kids back home safely.
To help the kids, please click here.
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