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Municipal inspectors in Matatiele have shut down multiple stores after a surprise raid uncovered expired goods, missing expiry labels, and unsafe food products.
What Happened During the Inspection
The Alfred Nzo District Municipality, in partnership with Matatiele Local Municipality, conducted an unannounced inspection across local shops. The campaign focused on food safety, targeting expired products and shops that fail to meet health regulations.
According to Cllr Rejoice Nkomo-Khwela, the teams discovered:
- Expired products still on shelves
- Goods with no expiry or best-before dates
- Some products where expiry labels had been deliberately removed
Several shops were shut down on the spot due to serious health risks to the public.
“It is unfortunate that our communities are exposed to such risks,” said Cllr Nkomo-Khwela. “Some people continue to buy from these shops despite the dangers.”
What to Watch Out for as a Consumer
Residents are urged to check expiry dates before buying groceries. If any suspicious or expired goods are found, they should be reported to the municipality.
How to spot unsafe products:
| Red Flag | Action to Take |
|---|---|
| No expiry or best-before date | Do not purchase |
| Label seems tampered or removed | Report the product and shop immediately |
| Smell or packaging seems off | Avoid buying and alert inspectors |
Official Message and Next Steps
Both municipalities condemned the sale of unsafe goods and promised stricter checks in future. Authorities also encouraged residents to avoid shops that violate food safety laws.
“We remain committed to protecting the health and wellbeing of our people,” said the municipality.
The food safety blitz is part of an ongoing district campaign to ensure safer shopping and hold non-compliant businesses accountable.
