Botlokwa: Foreigners among 12 arrested for selling expired food
Expired products were confiscated and in one supermarket, products were repacked and expiry dates were also changed for expired goods.
LIMPOPO – Twelve men will appear before the Morebeng Magistrate’s Court today on various charges including contravention of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002, selling of expired food and possession of illicit cigarettes.
The men, aged between 18 and 44-years-old, were arrested during Operation Shanela on Wednesday and appeared in court yesterday before their case was postponed for verification of their legal documents.
Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba says the joint operation was conducted by various police units as well as Environmental Health inspectors, and Department of Education officials.
“The purpose of the operation was to search shops, spaza shops selling expired food, groceries, and violations of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act 54 of 1972, including their storage units,” Ledwaba said.
He added that the operation was conducted at a general dealers in Botlokwa, a wholesaler and a supermarket in the Dipateneng section
“Expired products were confiscated and in one supermarket, products were repacked and expiry dates were also changed for expired goods. A R2000 fine was paid for selling expired goods.”
Ledwaba confirmed the arrest of five suspects for selling expired foods, four for possession of illicit cigarettes and three for contravention of the Immigration Act.
