Time and time again police conduct various operations with the end results being to reduce crime in the Central Business District (CBD).
This time around Witbank Police Station members were at the long distance taxi rank on Friday, March 17 for their Back to Basics operation. Various businesses situated at that sector were visited and with the sole aim of removing skin lightening creams off the shelves. Station Commander, Brig Delisiwe Motha was part of the clean-up where at 15:00 she found a 28-year-old man’s shop with these items.
A few moments later Sector Commander of Sector 5, Capt Christina Sibeko found a 37-year-old man also selling these creams. Both men were arrested and charged with contravening the medicine act. These men were found to not have authority to sell skin lightening creams in their shops.
A similar operation was done in July and October 2016, where Brig Motha warned the public to not buy these creams and shop owners must stop selling them to their customers.
According to section 19 (1) of Medicine and Related Substance Control Act 101 of 1965, selling skin lightening cream does not comply with prescribed requirements.
These creams with hydroquinone were banned in South Africa in 1992. Extensive after effects of the products is skin cancer.
“Shop owners, by persisting in selling these products even after they have been warned, want to be locked up for a very long time. Please stop, you have been warned yet again,” said Brig Motha.
ALSO READ:
https://www.citizen.co.za/witbank-news/79757/yellow-bone-operation-yields-good-results/
https://www.citizen.co.za/witbank-news/75540/selling-of-illegal-products-can-send-you-to-jail/
