Hawks swoop in on farm near Charl Cilliers
The Hawks have arrested a 30-year-old farmer for allegedly repackaging expired and rotten food, which is later sold for people to consume.
The Govan Mbeki Municipality released a statement that, according to information received from the Hawks, the man who farms with pigs in the Charl Cilliers area allegedly collects expired food from chain stores and other distributors under the auspices of feeding such food to his domestic animals.
When the team comprising of the Hawks and Govan Mbeki Local Municipality Health Inspectors visited his farm, they discovered two warehouses packed with food not fit for human consumption.
Four cold rooms filled with expired canned products, rotten red meat, and chicken meat were also found.
About 1000 crates were found fully loaded with expired dairy products, including cheese products.
A truck fitted with a cold-room, two light delivery vehicles, one loaded with meat, and an empty LDV were also found. An intense investigation will be conducted on the vehicles.
A total of seven freezers were found in the warehouses with repackaged wheat, flower, and maize meal.
Equipment used for vacuuming, scales, and plastic sealers was found on the scene.
The recovered items include stickers and pricing machines, which are believed to be used during repackaging.
The suspect is expected to appear at the Secunda Magistrate’s Court this morning.
