Update on illegal butchery in Mfuleni
15 November 2024
STATEMENT BY THE MAYORAL COMMITTEE MEMBER FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES AND HEALTH, COUNCILLOR PATRICIA VAN DER ROSS
The City is aware that the discovery of an illegal butchery in Mfuleni this week has generated a lot of public interest, particularly against the backdrop of numerous food safety incidents around the country in recent months.
The City’s Environmental Health Service was part of an integrated operation in Mfuleni on Wednesday, 13 November 2024, 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.
Environmental Health Practitioners took meat samples from the premises for chemical analysis to test the levels and type of additives in the sausage.
A fine was issued in terms of health legislation, and the case will be prepared for court in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act.
Environmental Health Practitioners are mandated to conduct visits to food premises at least twice a year, but if problems are identified or complaints are received then more regular inspections are carried out until the problem is resolved.
It is worth noting that the premises in question is situated in a residential area. It is not listed nor identified as a business, and if not for the whistle-blower, our EHPs would not have had cause to conduct an inspection.
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.
Environmental Health Practitioners inspect for compliance with the Health Act and Food Regulations, the Tobacco Control Act as well as the provisions of the Business Act. They can also check for possible transgression of the zoning scheme, building regulations and fire safety legislation, and escalate any findings to the relevant departments for further action.
Where they come across foodstuffs that they have reason to believe may pose a danger to health if consumed, they are mandated by law, to seize/detain such goods. In the past year, 39 premises have been shut down by City Health during the course of its normal operations.
Public health and safety is a shared responsibility, and our staff can only inspect premises, or investigate issues that they are aware of.
Members of the public who have health-related concerns or complaints about businesses can contact their local Environmental Health Office for assistance via their local clinic or the City’s Technical Operations Centre on 0860 103 089.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
