By Mapaballo Borotho
- JMPD officers uncovered an alleged operation that was altering expiry dates on expired food products during a raid in Johannesburg CBD.
- The discovery was made after suspects abandoned their trolleys and fled from law enforcement officers conducting compliance inspections.
- Authorities also found suspected stolen electrical cables on the premises, with all items confiscated pending further investigation.
The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) has uncovered an illicit operation involving the alteration of expired food products in the Johannesburg CBD on Wednesday, 17 June 2026.
The food products were discovered during JMPD’s High-Impact Service Delivery operations in the inner city.
JMPD officers observed individuals selling food from informal trolleys. When asked to verify their compliance and immigration status, the suspects allegedly abandoned their trolleys and fled on foot.
JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla said officers pursued the fleeing suspects into a building situated at the corner of Edith Cavell and Plein streets.
“Upon entering and searching the premises, officers discovered a large-scale counterfeit packaging operation.
“Inside the building, officers found vast quantities of expired perishable goods, including juices and yoghurts. Further investigation at the scene revealed that the individuals inside the premises were allegedly using chemical thinners to erase original expiry dates from the packaging before applying fraudulent stickers with falsified, extended expiry dates,” said Fihla.
Fihla added that officers also discovered cut electrical cables inside the premises. The cables are suspected to be stolen municipal infrastructure, which contributes to the city’s ongoing challenges with power disruptions and infrastructure theft.
No arrests have been made at this stage.
JMPD Chief of Police, Commissioner Patrick Jaca, visited the scene shortly after the discovery to assess the operation.
“What we uncovered today is not just a violation of municipal bylaws, but a direct and dangerous assault on the health and safety of our residents,” said Commissioner Jaca.
“Selling expired food by maliciously altering dates shows a complete disregard for human life. Furthermore, finding suspected stolen electrical cables on the same premises underscores how these illicit networks damage our city’s infrastructure. We are intensifying our high-impact operations, and we will not hesitate to clamp down on those who exploit our inner city for criminal gain.”
The expired consumables and suspected stolen electrical cables have been confiscated as investigations continue.
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