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Five arrested after rotten food racket uncovered on Mpumalanga farm
It is the kind of headline that makes South Africans uneasy. Expired and rotten food is finding its way back onto shop shelves. Worse still, they were allegedly repackaged and passed on to unsuspecting families simply trying to put meals on the table.
This week, a 75-year-old woman stood before the Secunda Magistrate’s Court, accused of being part of a family operation that collected expired products and resold them as if they were fresh.
A shocking discovery on a quiet Mpumalanga farm
The Hawks in Mpumalanga said the investigation began after a tip-off about suspicious activities on a farm in Charl Cilliers, just outside Secunda. What officers discovered was far from a small household operation.
Two warehouses were reportedly stacked with old and decomposing goods. The food was allegedly collected from retailers under the claim that it would be given to animals. Instead, it was repackaged and prepared for redistribution to human customers.
Investigators seized vehicles, cool rooms, and products that were officially deemed unfit to eat. The contaminated stock was later disposed of.
A growing list of suspects
The elderly woman, identified by authorities as Wilhemina Jacoba, handed herself over to the Hawks along with another suspect, 36-year-old Phakamani Hlongwane. They join three relatives: Pieter Johannes Grobler, 31; Mark Lombard, 29; and 46-year-old Sonnet Lombard.
All five now face charges linked to contravention of food safety laws, along with alleged corruption, fraud, and money laundering.
Jacoba and Hlongwane were granted R2 500 bail each and are due back in court on 6 February 2026. Grobler was previously granted bail of R8 000.
Public outrage and a deeper concern
News of the arrests has spread quickly, sparking anger and disbelief. Food safety has become an increasingly sensitive issue in South Africa. The cost of living continues to rise, and shoppers often turn to cheaper alternatives.
This case taps into a worrying fear. Many wonder how often they might have unknowingly bought something that did not belong anywhere near a dinner plate.
It raises a bigger question about how widespread these operations may be, especially in rural towns where oversight can be limited.
The Hawks promise more decisive action
Mpumalanga Hawks head Major General Nico Gerber assured the public that this crackdown is far from over. He said investigations continue, and anyone involved in what he called inhumane behaviour will face the consequences.
For now, residents in Charl Cilliers are left with a mix of relief and frustration. Relief that the illegal trade has been exposed. Frustration that anyone would gamble with the health of an entire community to make a profit.
This case is still unfolding, and families across the region will be watching closely. Because no one should ever have to worry that the food in their basket is a danger to their health.
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: West Plano Emergency Room
