With food poisoning incidents spiralling out of control in Gauteng, police have uncovered a factory in Zamdela, Sasolburg, where seven men were found repackaging expired Lucky Star tinned fish.

ON THE HUNT

SAPS provincial spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko said the police made the discovery last night when they embarked on a joint operation together with crime intelligence from Zamdela, Sasolburg and SAPS Kliprivier. She said during a raid along Eland Street, Daleside, law enforcement authorities discovered and seized a large quantity of counterfeit canned fish. "The police also discovered printing equipment which was used to alter expiry dates on the cans of expired fish packaging. The altered tin fish were being placed in boxes marked 'Woolworths Food'.

MANHUNT

Sibeko said seven illegal Malawians aged between 18 and 29 years were arrested. "The owner of the operation remains at large. Police opened a case of contravention of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics, and Disinfectants Act (Act 54 of 1972), Section 17(c), possession of suspected stolen properties, and contravention of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002," said Sibeko. The arrested seven suspects will appear before the court soon.

On Sunday, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said police will embark on random raids to ensure compliance, in spaza shops. He emphasised that they ought to ensure that they enforce the new regulations. "We've got 441 cases that have been reported across the province. Some of the people either were discharged or just showed the symptoms of vomiting, stomach aches and related issues. So, we have got 441 cases that have been followed up by the Department of Health, and among them we have 23 that have passed on," said Lesufi during a joint media briefing to address food poisoning incidents in the province.