The City of Cape Town, in collaboration with local police, dismantled an unlicensed sausage manufacturing operation in Mfuleni on Wednesday, November 13. The raid, which took place after weeks of intelligence gathering, uncovered a concerning food safety violation at the facility.
The City’s MMC for Safety and Security, Jean-Pierre Smith, confirmed that the operation was processing and packaging sausages in unhygienic conditions. “This poses a serious health risk to consumers,” Smith said, emphasizing the importance of strict regulations in food manufacturing.
The joint operation, led by SAPS Crime Intelligence, City Health staff, and other investigators, found that the facility was not only unsanitary but also operated by individuals suspected of being in the country illegally. The authorities arrested the owner and four employees during the raid. The premises have since been declared a crime scene, with forensic teams collecting food samples for further analysis.
Locals in Mfuleni were stunned by the heavy police presence in their neighbourhood. Many had noticed vehicles entering and leaving the site but were unaware of the operation inside. “We always see them entering that place, but never knew what they were doing,” one resident remarked.
Smith highlighted that this raid serves as a reminder of the City’s commitment to ensuring public health and safety. “This operation underscores the importance of vigilance in preventing illegal and unsanitary food production,” he said, reaffirming the ongoing efforts of local authorities to safeguard the Western Cape community.
