In a recent raid conducted by law enforcement in Gauteng, seven undocumented migrants, aged between 18 and 29, were arrested for their involvement in a counterfeit food operation. The raid, which took place on November 11, 2024, at a factory in Daleside, uncovered a significant operation where expired Lucky Star canned pilchards were being repackaged with altered expiration dates.
According to Captain Tintswalo Sibeko, the provincial police spokesperson, the operation was a joint effort between Crime Intelligence from Zamdela, Sasolburg, and SAPS Kliprivier. The authorities seized a large quantity of counterfeit Lucky Star canned fish, along with printing equipment used to alter the expiry dates on the tins. These altered cans were then being packaged in boxes marked “Woolworths Food” and prepared for distribution.
The seven individuals arrested were found to be illegal immigrants and will face charges under several acts, including the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act (Act 54 of 1972), for the contravention of regulations around food safety. Additionally, charges for possession of suspected stolen property and violations of the Immigration Act (Act 13 of 2002) have been filed. The owner of the operation remains at large.
This bust follows similar operations in recent months targeting counterfeit food production and the sale of expired goods in South Africa. In one such case, the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) uncovered an illegal potato chips manufacturing operation. During a routine stop-and-search, officers found boxes of chips being transported in a van, and upon inspection, it was revealed that the labels on the packages were not legitimate, and the chips lacked proper certification and approvals. Environmental health inspectors found that the business did not have the necessary documents to operate legally, and Home Affairs Immigration confirmed that several of the workers were undocumented.
These incidents are part of a larger problem in South Africa, where food safety issues have become a growing concern. There have been reports of food-borne illnesses and even fatalities linked to the consumption of counterfeit or expired food products, with some community members accusing spaza shops in townships of selling fake or unsafe food. As these illegal food operations continue to thrive, authorities are ramping up efforts to crack down on counterfeit goods and ensure the safety of consumers.
IOL has reached out to Woolworths for a comment on the discovery of their brand being implicated in the counterfeit operation, and their response will be added once received.
