- Five foreign nationals linked to an illegal sausage manufacturing operation in Mfuleni were arrested after officials discovered unsanitary conditions at a makeshift butchery.
- The operation, allegedly producing sausages and mince under unsafe conditions, drew widespread criticism after shocking images of the premises circulated on social media.
- Local residents and officials expressed outrage, with some calling for stricter regulation of foreign-owned food businesses.
Five men arrested in connection with an illegal sausage manufacturing warehouse in Mfuleni will appear in the Blue Downs Magistrates’ Court on Monday 25 November.
The five foreign nationals, co-owners of Gubta Meats and three employees, were arrested on Wednesday 13 November after City officials received a tip-off about an illegal operation.
They are accused of operating an unhygienic and illegal butchery. Among others, they produced sausage and mince under a diamond label.
Patricia van der Ross, Mayco member for community services and health, said the discovery of an illegal butchery in Mfuleni generated a lot of public interest, particularly against the backdrop of numerous food safety incidents around the country recently.
“The City’s Environmental Health Service was part of an integrated operation in Mfuleni on Wednesday 13 November, following a tip-off from a member of the public.
“An inspection of the premises, which turned out to be a makeshift butchery attached to a residential property, found that sausage was being processed and packaged in unsanitary conditions which could pose a significant health risk to consumers,” said Van der Ross.
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She added that the Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP) took meat samples from the premises for chemical analysis to test the levels and type of additives in the sausage.
According to Van der Ross, a fine was issued in terms of health legislation.
“We are also aware of the allegation that dog food was being used to produce the sausage contrary to footage circulating on social media, our EHPs found no evidence of dog food on scene.
“We ask that the public please allow the investigation to run its course and to refrain from sharing misinformation,” she stated.
Van der Ross said in the past year 39 premises have been shut down by City Health.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in the Western Cape Eric Ntabazalila said the five, the business owner and his employees, will appear for bail information.
He said their date for bail application has not been confirmed yet as the court needs to secure an interpreter for one of the accused.
The accused made their first court appearance on Friday 15 November and again on Monday 18 November.
Ntabazalila added that charges against a minor, also arrested during the operation, have been withdrawn.
His matter has been referred to the Department of Social Development for investigation.
In the aftermath, social media was abuzz with appalling images of the premises and the production cycle inside the bogus butchery. Among others, the images showed dirty walls, meat in cardboard boxes and filthy containers.
When City Vision visited Gubta Meats on Saturday 16 November, the premises were closed. Neighbours expressed dismay at the discovery. They said the shop was closed a long time ago.
A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of harassment, said she used to see the owners but didn’t know what they were doing. “I thought they were staying in, not knowing they were working,” she said.
Resident Nosisa Maphondla declared that all foreign shops, particularly those who are selling food, must be closed. She said their lives are at risk.
“All along we are eating a fake sausage. The Somali nationals are so dangerous. It is clear that they planned this thoroughly. Government must intervene before the community gets angry,” she said.
Maphondla said she stopped eating sausage after she saw that fake sausage.
Another resident, Nolusapho, said the facility was closed about three years ago. She was puzzled to see what was happening.
“It used to be a shop and they closed it. Little did we know that they are making sausage. I’m wondering what else they are manufacturing besides sausage?” she asked.
Nolusapho said all food shops owned by foreign nationals must be shut down. “We love foreigners, but what they are doing now is wrong and they must account. They must go,” she said.
Ward 114 councillor Ernest Matiwane said: “The owners of the shop relocated to Job Creation informal settlement, which is behind Shoprite. I didn’t know that there is a warehouse,” he said, adding that a meeting for all community stakeholders will be held in the coming days to discuss the matter.
