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THE NORTHERN Cape police management has “noted with concern” reports trending on social media and other platforms in relation to hate speech directed towards foreign national traders in the Province, following recent media reports regarding alleged poisoned fake food products sold by foreign traders.
Provincial police spokesperson Sergeant Timothy Sam said “it must be noted that the issue of fake, poisonous goods will be subject to police investigations if reported to the police”.
Sam added that the police, in partnership with the local municipal environmental health inspectors and the Department of Home Affairs’ Immigration Services, are “heightening prevention approaches through multi-disciplinary raids and inspections”.
“The police are pleading with the public to take precautionary measures when buying goods by checking expiry dates and to report any suspicious goods to the police and refrain from intimidating or instigating violence or hate crimes against the foreign traders,” said Sam.