Byline: Nonjabuliso Nhlambo
06 February 2025
Pieter Johanes Grobler (30), who is a farmer, appeared before the Secunda Magistrate Court on Thursday, 06 February 2024, for allegedly repacking expired and rotten food, which he later sold for people to consume.
Grobler was arrested by the Hawks Secunda based Serious Organised Crime Investigation yesterday, Wednesday, 05 February 2025.
According to information at police desposal, the 30-year-old farmer collects expired food from chain stores and other distributors under the auspices of feeding such food to his domestic animals.
When the team comprising the Hawks and the Govern Mbeki Local Municipality Health Inspectors visited the farm, they were shocked when two warehouses were found packed with food not fit for human consumption.
Four cold rooms filled with expired canned products, rotten red meat, and chicken meat were found. About 1000 crates were found fully loaded with expired dairy products, including cheese products.
A truck fitted with a cold room, two light delivery vehicles, one loaded with meat, and an empty LDV were also found. An intense investigation will be conducted on the vehicles.
A total of seven freezers were found in the warehouses with repackaged wheat, flour, and maize meal.Equipment used for vacuuming, scales, and plastic sealers was found on the scene.
The recovered items include stickers and pricing machines, which are believed to be used during repackaging.
Grobler was released on R8000.00 bail on conditions that he reports to the police in Charl Cilliers every Monday and to also hand over his passports to the investigation officer. His matter was postponed to 27 March 2025 for further investigation.
