Secunda, Mpumalanga – Five people have been arrested in connection with the repackaging and distribution of spoiled, expired food that was unfit for human consumption. The illegal operation took place on a farm near Charl Cilliers in Mpumalanga.
The case began in February when Pieter Grobler, 31, was arrested during a raid conducted by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit. Several months later, two family members, Mark Lombard, 29, and Sonnet Lombard, 46, were also taken into custody in connection with the same matter.
More recently, Wilhelmina Jacoba Grobler, 75, and Phakamani Hlongwane, 36, handed themselves over to the Hawks in Secunda. The pair appeared in the Secunda Magistrate’s Court this week, where each was released on bail of R2 500. They are expected back in court in February next year.
During the initial February raid on the farm, authorities seized vehicles and destroyed large quantities of rotten food to prevent it from reaching consumers.
The five suspects face charges that include contravention of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, as well as corruption, fraud, and money laundering.
Major General Nico Gerber, provincial head of the Hawks in Mpumalanga, confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and that every person involved in the scheme will be brought before court.
