Expired and mislabelled foods confiscated near Isipingo
Local spaza shop owners are complaining about being forced out of the market by a syndicate of foreign nationals that has infiltrated the spaza shop market.
INSPECTORS from different departments descended on several spaza shops in Malukazi near Isipingo on October 30 to confiscate expired and unlabelled foods.
The Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (DEDTEA) spokesperson, Ndabezinhle Sibiya, said the shops that were raided are owned by foreign nationals. Two undocumented foreign nationals were also arrested by the Home Affairs’ Immigration Unit.
Also read: Isipingo food blitz seizes over 100kg of food as fines issued
“Inspectors from the Department’s Business Regulations and Consumer Protection Unit, eThekwini Municipality and the Department of Health were acting in the interest of the people of this province. They were supported by SAPS, Intelligence Officers and eThekwini Metro Police. Township- and rural-based spaza shop owners have complained through our Business Regulations and Consumer Protection Unit about being forced out of the market by a syndicate that has infiltrated the spaza shop market. In addition, consumers have also complained about their safety and the welfare of children,” said Sibiya.
He added that the campaign will continue and is aimed at protecting local and honest entrepreneurs in the townships and rural areas.
“We have strengthened our partnership with law enforcement agencies, the Consumer Commission, the National Competition Authority and the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa. We are also targeting manufacturers of counterfeit goods, including fake alcohol. The KZN Liquor Authority is protecting the more than 6 000 genuine liquor licence holders,” he said.
Some of the netted foods included expired baby formula, sweets and chips. Sibiya said there are programmes in place to assist legitimate entrepreneurs financially, and unannounced visits and raids will continue.
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