Three workers arrested during a raid at a butchery in Mfuleni, Western Cape, have abandoned their bail applications, according to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the province. Kondwani Mwezhande, 29, and Smart Chipod, 25, both Malawian nationals, along with Abdulaallah Abdinour, a 36-year-old Somali national, appeared in court on Monday, where they decided to forgo their application for bail. The three men face serious charges, including contravening the Immigration Act by residing in South Africa illegally, as well as operating an unlicensed butchery in unsanitary conditions.
The court proceedings follow a high-profile raid carried out in November 2024 by the City of Cape Town and local police forces. Acting on a tip-off, authorities raided the makeshift butchery located in Mfuleni, where they discovered sausages being prepared under unsanitary conditions. The authorities immediately shut down the butchery and declared the premises a crime scene. The raid has sparked concern about food safety and illegal operations in the region, especially in light of the unhygienic conditions in which meat products were being prepared.
The three workers arrested during the raid are facing charges not only for immigration violations but also for the illegal production and operation of a butchery without the required certification. They stand accused of producing meat products without the necessary legal permits, a violation of South African health and food safety regulations. The butchery’s operation was deemed to pose significant risks to public health, as it lacked proper oversight and adherence to hygiene standards. This has raised serious concerns about the safety of meat products being sold in the area.
The owners of the butchery, Abdi Kadiye, 34, and Mohammed Ali Ahmed, 36, both Somali nationals, are also facing charges in connection with the illegal operation. The two men are expected to apply for bail at a later date. The charges against them include contravention of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act (No. 54 of 1972), which regulates the production of food products. They are accused of running a butchery without the necessary legal certification, putting consumers at risk by offering potentially unsafe meat products.
In addition to the workers and owners, a minor who was also arrested during the raid had charges against them withdrawn. The details of the minor’s involvement in the operation have not been disclosed, but the withdrawal of charges suggests a lack of sufficient evidence to proceed against the individual. This development has raised questions about the role of minors in illegal businesses and the responsibility of adult figures in such operations.
The case continues to draw attention due to the implications it has for food safety and the regulation of the meat industry in South Africa. As authorities continue their investigations, there are increasing calls for more stringent checks on informal and unregistered businesses, especially those involved in food production. With the owners of Gubta Meats due back in court to apply for bail, the outcome of this case is likely to have wider ramifications for the food industry and immigration enforcement in the Western Cape.
