Free State Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (DESTEA) has recently received a high volume of complaints and allegations from the public regarding the sale of expired and fake foods, which according to them are deleterious to their health.
This follows after DESTEA received news that two children passed on in Vredefort in the Free State after allegedly consuming food/snack bought from a local tuckshop.
The South African Police Services have confirmed that a case has been opened and that investigations are ongoing.
MEC of DESTEA, Thabo Meeko would like to send his deepest condolences to the family of the deceased.
“While the authenticity of videos and pictures cannot be verified, we have to act swiftly on allegations of illicit trade of fake goods sold to the public.
DESTEA Inspection Directorate will continue to work with law enforcement agencies in operations across the province to prevent the sale of Illicit goods and food products”, MEC Meeko said.
Illegal trade poses a serious danger to people’s lives and it weakens the government’s revenue that could have been invested in public services.
Members of the public are urged to report any illegal and illicit trade immediately to the nearest police station or call DESTEA Consumer Protection unit on: 064 805 4449/073 603 0141/ 071 645 1075 or departmental social media platforms: Facebook-official destea, Twitter @fsdestea and Instagram: freestate_destea.
Compiled by Abigail Visagie
