Municipality Destroys Bakkie Load of Expired Food Items
City citizens urged to stay vigilant and check expiry dates during festive season and beyond.
The Municipal Council of Manzini recently conducted a comprehensive health inspection of shops in various neighbourhoods within the city. The exercise resulted in condemnation of a substantial amount of expired food items. The inspection revealed a bakkie load of expired food stuffs including canned food, snacks, dairy products and packaged foods. A total of 13 shops in the residential areas were found to be selling expired food items to unsuspecting customers. The expired items were immediately removed from the shops, condemned and taken to the municipal controlled dumpsite for destruction under close supervision. The offending shop owners were also given warning notices that clearly spelt out that drastic action would be taken in the event such irresponsible behavior persisted. Such inspections will be intensified during the festive season and beyond. It may be mentioned that the Municipality is mandated to conduct health inspections in shops within the city’s boundaries as per the Public Health Act, 1969 and the Public Health (food hygiene) Regulations of 1973.
As the festive season approaches, city residents and the general members of the public are urged to remain vigilant and prioritise checking of the expiry date before buying. Shop owners are also implored to exercise responsible behavior by ensuring that they remove expired food items from the shelves. Expired food items pose significant health risks to consumers; ranging from foodborne illnesses to allergic reactions. Consuming expired products can compromise the wellbeing of individuals, especially during a time when festive celebrations often involve large gatherings and indulgence in various culinary delights. Consumers are urged to ensure the safety of themselves and their families by exercising caution whenever they purchase food items. In the event that they come across expired food products, citizens are urged to immediately contact the Municipality through its 24/7 Call Centre (800 2004/2505 7000) or the official WhatsApp line (7808 2333/7908 2333) so that action can be taken against the shop owner. By being proactive and cautious, citizens can contribute to a safer and healthier city citizenry; which is what the Municipality aspires for. Citizens are also urged to adopt the following practices when purchasing food items;
- EXPIRY DATE AWARENESS:
Always check the expiry dates of food products before making a purchase. Pay special attention to discounted items as they may be highly likely to be nearing expiration.
- VISUAL INSPECTION:
Inspect the packaging for any signs of damage such as dents, bulges or leaks. Damaged packaging compromise the quality of the food product and increases the risk of contamination.
- STORAGE CONDITIONS:
Be mindful of the storage conditions of food products. Avoid purchasing items that have been displayed in direct sunlight, excessively warm areas or near cleaning materials.
…MUNICIPALITY FACILITATES MANGWANENI CLEAN-UP
The Municipal Council of Manzini encourages residents of Manzini city to always make it a point that they keep their townships clean. The Municipality, working together with Ward 8 Councilor Wandile Mazibuko, recently embarked on a massive clean-up exercise within the Mangwaneni informal settlement. Close to 100 community members participated in the exercise and over one tonne worth of waste was lifted and disposed at the Municipal controlled dumpsite. The high level of participation by community members is indicative of a community that is willing to ensure the environment they live in is clean and safe; and that is appreciated. The Municipality has noted a need to implement comprehensive waste management practices within the community in order to protect the environment, improve public health and achieve a sustainable future. During the clean-up exercise, the community was sensitized on the importance of keeping the informal settlement clean. Community members were urged to dispose of waste in available waste receptacles. In reaction, community members made a commitment that, going forward, they would desist from engaging in unacceptable waste disposal practices. Community police also pledged to deal with anyone found littering.
…200 YOUTHS GATHER AT PENDRAY PARK, SHOWCASE THEIR TALENT
The Municipal Council of Manzini recently hosted her first ever ‘Manzini Youth Craft, Arts and Sports (MY-CAS)’ event at Pendray Park; the recreational park that is located within Trelawney Park township. The event, themed “Get Crafty with the Artsy” and attended by approximately 200 youths from Manzini city, was aimed at celebrating talent, diversity and potential of Manzini city youths. It presented a platform for showcasing their skills, promoting a healthy lifestyle and fostering cultural exchange. The event was blended with cultural performances and interactive activities that were aimed at engaging and inspiring the youth and the wider community. The youths were encouraged to actively participate in sports and cultural activities, promote physical well-being, social integration and personal development. Through the event, the Municipality also aimed to nurture a culture of teamwork, discipline and creativity amongst the youth; enabling them to become positive role models and contributing members of society. The event was delivered in partnership with various stakeholders, including Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture (ENCAC), Chess Eswatini, Table Tennis Association, Eswatini E-Sports Associations and Darts Eswatini who assisted with providing a platform for young upcoming artists to display their creativity through art exhibitions, handicraft, fashion and sculpture. The youth from different schools including St Theresa’s, Ngwane Park High School, Salesian High School and Manzini Central High School were able to express themselves artistically and offer networking opportunities with art enthusiasts. The Municipality would like to express her appreciation to KFC and Buy N’ Save Group for sponsoring the event.
…COMING UP IN MANZINI CITY!
- Exciting Festive Rates Promotion:
The Municipality is thrilled to inform property owners that she will soon launch an exciting festive rates payment promotion that will surely bring joy to well paying ratepayers. As the festive season approaches, the Municipality wishes to express gratitude to ratepayers for continuing to honour their rates payment obligation as per the Rating Act, 1998. The Municipality well understands that paying property tax is a responsibility that comes with being a property owner. However, this festive season the Municipality wishes to reward and incentivize good ratepayers. If you have not yet paid your rates in full, please make it a point that you do so and your 2023 festive will be the merriest. Those who have already paid in full will also not be left out.
- Please Mark The Date: Christmas Flea Market, Carols On The 16th
Manzini citizens and the general members of the public are informed of an unusual and exciting Christmas flea market which is scheduled for Saturday 16th December 2023, 7am to 8pm, on the usual flea market street (Louw Street). The flea market, amongst others, comes with Christmas carols by the candlelight in the evening. Citizens of Manzini and surrounding areas are encouraged to save the date and make sure to attend the event which will be free of charge. Those who wish to sell items during the event are urged to register with the Municipality on the 12th and 13th December 2023, between 8:30am and 3pm. The fee is E100 for individual traders and E350 for institutions. See you there…
