Woman from eMbalenhle finds strange blobs in soft drink bought at local tuck shop
The ward councillor took the cooldrink, that is past its expire date, to the municipality, from where it was sent to the health inspectors of the district municipality.
Black, gooey blobs from a soft drink bottle compelled the police to shut down a tuck shop in Ext 22 in eMbalenhle and call in the Govan Mbeki Municipality’s health inspectors.
Skhethile Gumbi, a resident of Ext 22, sent her 10-year-old son to the tuck shop to buy a bottle of soft drink for her and her two friends.
According to Gumbi, she immediately noticed the soft drink bottle was not sealed and could be easily opened.
When pouring the cool drink, she saw a black jelly-like substance fall into the glass.
“I was shocked at what I saw. My two friends, who wanted to know what was going on, were also stunned when they saw the glass’ contents.”
They decided to take the drink back to the tuck shop.
“I showed the tuck shop owner what came out of the drink and what was still inside the bottle, but he just laughed at me.
“He refused to take responsibility, claiming that he had bought his drinks from the retailer and that he is not a manufacturer,” said Gumbi.
Gumbi said the expiry date on the cap was in October last year. The women’s argument with the shopkeeper sparked the curiosity of other community members, who also wanted to hear the man’s explanation.
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Police officers passing by were flagged down, and the women explained to them what had happened.
“The police asked if we wanted to exchange the drink or wanted our money back. I just wanted my money back,” said Gumbi.
Police then instructed the owner to close his shop until the municipal health inspectors checked all the drinks inside to ensure they are safe for consumption.
Gumbi said the ward councillor, Roger Vilakazi, also reacted to the commotion at the shop.
“He took the bottle. We are not sure what the municipality will do about it,” said Gumbi.
Vilakazi confirmed to Ridge Times that he took the drink to the office of the council speaker, Fikile Magagamela.
The newspaper tried to speak to the shop owner, but the shop was locked.
Donald Green, the acting communication manager for the municipality said the matter is at the Gert Sibande District Municipality’s health practitioners.
