Two additional suspects have surrendered to the Hawks’ Secunda-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit in connection with a major food safety scandal. Wilhemina Jacoba (75) and Phakamani Hlongwane (36) handed themselves in after being linked to a case involving the distribution of rotten and expired food meant for human consumption.
Their surrender follows the earlier arrest of three other individuals: Pieter Grobler (31) and family members Mark Lombard (29) and Sonnet Lombard (46). All five are accused of operating an illicit operation on a farm in Charl Cilliers, outside Secunda.
The investigation was launched after the Hawks received a tip-off about illegal activities at the farm. Upon arresting Grobler, authorities seized several items, including vehicles and cool rooms. All rotten and expired foodstuffs deemed unfit for human consumption were safely disposed of.
Jacoba and Hlongwane made their first court appearance at the Secunda Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 08 December 2025. Both were granted bail of R2,500 and are scheduled to return to the same court on 06 February 2026.
The accused face multiple charges, including contravention of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics, and Disinfectants Act, corruption, fraud, and money laundering. The case continues as investigations proceed.