Farmer Granted Bail
By Nkosana Khumalo
A 30-year-old farmer, arrested for the distribution of expired food under the guise of collecting it for animal feed, has been granted R8,000 bail by the Secunda Magistrates Court. The suspect, whose name has not been disclosed, is expected to return to court on 27 March 2025, as investigations into the illegal operation continue.
The Mpumalanga branch of the Hawks, working alongside Govern Mbeki Local Municipality Health Inspectors, uncovered a large-scale food distribution operation on the suspect’s farm. Authorities discovered two warehouses packed with expired foodstuffs, including canned goods, rotten chicken, and red meat—all allegedly repackaged and resold to unsuspecting consumers.
Hawks Raid Exposes Illegal Food Distribution Network
On Wednesday, health inspectors, acting on a tip-off, raided the suspect’s farm and found an alarming quantity of expired and rotten food stored in unsanitary conditions.
Seized Items Included:
• Over 1,000 crates of expired dairy products, including cheese.
• Large quantities of rotten poultry and red meat.
• Repackaging equipment, including a pricing machine and stickers, used to alter expiration dates before resale.
• Seven freezers filled with repackaged wheat, flour, and maize meal.
The Hawks confirmed that the suspect had allegedly been collecting expired food from major chain stores in Mpumalanga, claiming it was meant for animal consumption. However, instead of using it for that purpose, the suspect is believed to have repackaged the food and illegally resold it to consumers.
Public Health Concerns and Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are treating the case as a major public health threat, as the suspect’s actions could have endangered thousands of unsuspecting consumers who may have purchased the expired and potentially toxic food products.
According to Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Dineo Sekgotodi, investigations are still underway to determine:
• The full extent of the operation and how long it had been running.
• Whether other businesses were involved in the distribution network.
• The potential health risks posed to consumers who may have unknowingly purchased these expired products.
“This operation is shocking, considering the amount of expired and unsafe food found on the premises. The fact that repackaging equipment was used to change expiration dates means that unsuspecting consumers could have been severely affected,” Sekgotodi said.Authorities are now working closely with food safety regulators and health departments to trace the final distribution points of the expired food and prevent further contamination risks.
How the Illegal Operation Worked
Initial investigations suggest that the farmer obtained expired goods from chain stores, who believed the food was being disposed of or used as animal feed. However, the suspect reportedly set up a repackaging operation where expired items were relabeled with new expiration dates and distributed to informal traders and markets.
Repackaging Process Uncovered by Authorities:
1. Expired food products were stored in warehouses and freezers to avoid detection.
2. Expiration dates were erased or altered using a pricing machine and sticker labels.
3. The repackaged food was distributed to informal markets and unsuspecting consumers.
Authorities suspect that low-income communities may have been the primary targets for this illicit trade, as cheap food products are often sought-after in informal markets.
Legal Proceedings and Bail Conditions
During the bail hearing, the State opposed bail, arguing that the suspect poses a flight risk and that the offence endangered public health. However, the magistrate ruled in favour of granting R8,000 bail, with the condition that the suspect does not interfere with investigations.
The suspect is expected back in court on 27 March, where further evidence will be presented. The charges against him could include:
• Fraud (for altering expiration dates).
• Violation of food safety regulations under the Consumer Protection Act.
• Endangering public health.
Consumer Safety and Government Response
The Department of Health has since issued a warning to consumers, urging them to carefully inspect expiration dates on products and report any suspicious food packaging.
“This case highlights the urgent need for stronger regulations on food disposal and handling. Businesses must ensure that expired food does not enter the consumer market illegally,” said a spokesperson from the Department of Health.Meanwhile, chain stores that supplied the expired food are also under investigation to determine if they followed proper disposal protocols or whether they had any knowledge of the illegal activity.
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