The operation saw over three tons of expired foods and fake goods being confiscated and disposed of from shops and spaza shops around Kagiso and Munsieville. This follows recent videos that have been doing the rounds on social media, allegedly exposing fake and spoilt produce which sent consumers into a panic.
During the raid, spoilt meat alongside other expired products with removable expiry dates was found and confiscated. Some meats were packed in malfunctioning refrigerators while most were hidden with expired dairy products in other rooms.
Mogale City officials confiscated expired foods and fake goods
The sale of expired foods and illegal fake goods will soon be a thing of the past as Mogale City Local Municipality together with West Rand District Municipality embarked on rigorous raids across the city.
There is a directive from the Department of Health for Environmental Health Practitioners and law enforcement agencies to carry out continuous inspections within their respective municipalities. The raid was also a platform for government and health inspectors to educate traders about their tax obligations, business compliance and regulations.
Mogale City Executive Mayor Patrick Lipudi said the raids will be ongoing and the municipality will not rest until all local businesses are compliant with the law. “Even though our primary focus area is service delivery, we do not want to be caught napping by the community with regards to allegations of traders selling expired and fake goods. We are also happy that health officers and the South African Police Services lent a helping hand throughout this operation,” the executive mayor said.
The municipality urges all residents to check expiry dates on all products before making any purchase.