The operation was led by Mopani District Municipality (MDM) in collaboration with the Greater Giyani Municipality (GGM), the Department of Home Affairs’ immigration unit, health and environmental officials, and the SAPS, gave them a surprise visit to inspect the quality of their goods. The MMC for Community Services, Dikeledi Mmetle, accompanied the portfolio head for Community Services, Clr Sasavona Mathebula, Executive Committee member, Cllr Cony Manganyi, and members of the relevant portfolio committees in the blitz campaign.

Many non-compliant products were removed from the shelves and disposed of at the Greater Giyani waste disposal site. The confiscated items were largely expired food products, fake products, unlicensed drugs such as sex pills, and other medical supplies for which they did not have a trading licence. This comes as the government strives to deal with the recent increase in the number of illegal foodstuffs identified throughout the country in businesses controlled by foreign nationals.

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According to the MMC, raiding foreign national shops is part of the government’s endeavour to ensure that all shop owners follow the law. In her remarks after the operation, the MMC said the campaign was successful since they were able to confiscate many expired goods. “What is also of concern is the lack in hygiene in most of the shops we visited, and that needs to change,” she said, urging all shop owners to comply with the law.