In a recent operation in Kimberley, nine undocumented foreign nationals were arrested following a raid on spaza shops by the provincial government.
The raid was part of a compliance inspection conducted by the provincial police commissioner in collaboration with various departments, focusing on illicit and expired food items sold at tuckshops in the Galeshewe, Kimberley, and Roodepan areas.
Compliance Inspections Lead to Shop Closures
During the inspections, a total of 33 spaza shops were evaluated, resulting in 26 closures due to non-compliance with regulations.
Many of these shops were found to be operating without valid licenses and were deemed unhygienic.
Provincial Police spokesperson Mashay Gamieldien provided details about the operation:
“In total, 33 tuck-shops were inspected, of which only seven were found compliant. While 26 were closed down due to non-compliance, operating without valid licenses and unhygienic reasons.”
Confiscation of Unsafe Food Items
The operation also led to the confiscation of large quantities of food items, including expired products, damaged canned goods, and rotten vegetables.
In addition to the arrests for unauthorized status, one individual was detained for riotous behaviour during the raid, and three fines were issued.
A Call for Consumer Vigilance
Authorities are urging residents to be vigilant when purchasing food items.
Gamieldien emphasized the importance of checking for dents or cracks in packaging and verifying expiration dates before buying any products.
As these inspections continue, local officials are committed to ensuring that food safety standards are upheld to protect consumers from unsafe products.
The recent crackdown highlights the ongoing efforts to regulate informal trading practices and maintain public health standards in the community.
Source: SABC News