VANDERBIJLPARK. – An owner of a food store was arrested during a raid after expired food was found in his store just across the Vanderbijlpark police station on Tuesday.
The store was raided in Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko’s presence. As the raid was underway, the owner called his lawyers who promptly arrived but there was nothing they could do to prevent authorities from confiscating and getting rid of the expired food.
Loads of expired food, some for more than two years, were removed from the store and thrown into awaiting rubbish trucks. The shop was closed immediately after the raid and the owner arrested and charged with dealing in expired food and refreshments.
He was expected to appear before the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates soon.
Some police officers standing around during the raid pointed out that they were not aware that they had been buying and ate expired goods from the store.
Mazibuko said business people are taking advantage of the Covid 19 to sell expired food. “As the government we are going to make sure that we leave no stone unturned. All those found guilty of selling expired food are going to face the consequences and the might of the law.
She pointed out that she was first embarrassed by some of the stores in the township shopping centres and did not expect that even the shops in town did this
Meanwhile, the Evaton Pick and Pay was closed yesterday after alleged rotten meat was found in its butchery. This was after a Covid-19 compliance visit by the Sedibeng District Health officials, Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) Executive Mayor, Reverend Gift Moerane, Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko and acting Gauteng MEC for Social Development, Panyaza Lesufi.
