Court Grants Bail to Mpumalanga Farmer Accused of Selling Rotten Food

A Mpumalanga farmer accused of repackaging and selling expired food products has been granted bail following his arrest by the Hawks.

Pieter Johannes Grobler spent a night in custody before appearing before the Secunda Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, where he was released on R8,000 bail. His arrest came after a raid on his farm, where authorities uncovered warehouses filled with rotten and expired food, including meat, chicken, and dairy products.

Hawks Raid Uncovers Rotten Food Stockpile

According to the Hawks, the investigation began after a tip-off about alleged health violations at the farm. Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi, confirmed that law enforcement, along with local health inspectors, acted swiftly to inspect the premises.

“During the visit to the farm, members uncovered two warehouses with four cold rooms that were loaded with food, including meat, chicken, and dairy products. All the recovered food was either rotten or expired,” said Nkosi.

The scale of the operation raised concerns about potential health risks, prompting authorities to seize the stock and open a case against Grobler.

Court Grants Bail, Further Investigation Underway

Grobler appeared in court on Thursday, where prosecutors argued for strict bail conditions. The court postponed the case to March 27, 2025, allowing further investigations to continue. As part of his bail conditions, Grobler must report to Charl Cilliers police station every Monday between 8 am and 6 pm. He was also ordered to surrender his passport until further notice.

Mpumalanga Hawks head, Major General Nico Gerber, praised the investigation team for preventing potentially hazardous food from reaching the public.

“This was a serious threat to public health. Our members are committed to ensuring a thorough investigation, including identifying others who may have been affected by this inhumane act,” Gerber stated.

Authorities have urged consumers to remain vigilant when purchasing food products, warning that further arrests could follow as the probe expands.

Mpumalanga Farmer Arrested for Repackaging Rotten, Expired Food for Retail

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com