Expired goods were discovered in a tuck shop located near a school in Verbena Road, Forderville. The discovery was made during a raid that was carried out today (May 15) by the Ward 10 Committee. The committee was joined by Estcourt SAPS, the Department of Agriculture, and inspectors from the uThukela District.

Expired items including juices, chicken meat, Coca-Cola, chocolates and several other products were found on the premises. It was reported that the owner of the tuck shop is the principal of another school (not the one near the tuck shop), though he was not present at the time of the raid.

The authorities also found that the shop was operating without a valid certificate of acceptability or trading permit. A worker at the shop told the Estcourt News he was not the owner, but merely employed there. He acknowledged being aware of the expired products and claimed to have informed the owner about them.

It is alleged that the owner knowingly stocks items close to or past their expiry date.

Ward 10 Councillor Edith Lite expressed concern over the shop selling expired goods to the community, especially considering its proximity to a school. She also raised the alarm over the fact that the tuck shop sells cigarettes, with suspicions that they may be sold to pupils.

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However, the worker denied selling cigarettes to minors. He further stated that most community members check expiry dates before buying and usually avoid expired products.

The owner of the tuck shop has been served with a notice, giving him seven days to comply with all health and trading regulations.

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