In a continued effort to crack down on illicit food sales in the region, police working in collaboration with key stakeholders including the Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) Health Department, Gauteng Traffic Wardens, and Siyabangena Patrollers conducted a series of inspections on June 10 across various food outlets within the De Deur policing precinct.

ELM is taking decisive action to address the sale of expired, substandard, and unregulated food, as well as the illegal operation of spaza shops.

Joint operations are being carried out to enforce compliance, shut down non-compliant businesses, and bring offenders to justice. Speaking to Ster North, police spokesperson Constable Mampho Mahlomola said the main objective of the operation was to ensure that spaza shops comply with current food safety regulations.

“A total of 17 shops were inspected in Roshnee, resulting in four fines being issued to owners for non-compliance with prescribed regulations,” Mahlomola confirmed.

Additionally, food items lacking proper labelling valued at approximately R15 000 were seized and disposed of with the assistance of the ELM Waste Department at the Vereeniging depot. The operation also increased police visibility in the area, leading to further arrests. Two individuals were apprehended for possession of illicit drugs, two for being undocumented, and another two for the unlawful use of someone else’s property. Lieutenant Colonel Anver Hammond, who led the operation, praised the joint initiative and emphasised its importance in ensuring that the public has access to safe, regulated food products.