Photo: DefenceWeb / ProtectionWeb
A 75-year-old woman has become the latest accused to appear in court in connection with a disturbing case involving the repackaging and sale of expired and rotten food intended for human consumption.
Wilhemina Jacoba (75) and Phakamani Hlongwane (36) handed themselves over to the Hawks Secunda-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit after being linked to Pieter Grobler (31), Mark Lombard (29) and Sonnet Lombard (46), who were previously arrested in the matter.
Jacoba and Hlongwane made their first appearance before the Secunda Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 8 December 2025. Both were granted bail of R2 500 and are expected to return to court on 6 February 2026.
The Hawks investigation followed a tip-off about alleged illegal activities on a farm in Charl Cilliers, outside Secunda. During the arrest of Grobler, authorities seized several items, including vehicles and cold storage facilities. Rotten and expired foodstuffs deemed unfit for human consumption were also confiscated and destroyed.
All five accused face charges relating to the contravention of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, as well as corruption, fraud and money laundering.
Mpumalanga Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Nico Gerber, said investigations will continue until everyone involved in what he described as inhumane activities is brought to book.