Hawks arrest two more in Charl Cilliers or selling expired food
CHARL CILLIERS – Mark Lombard (29) and Sonnet Lombard (46) were arrested on July 1 by the Hawks' Secunda-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation team.
The arrests were carried out with the assistance of the Tactical Response Team, Secunda K9 Unit, Charl Cilliers Police and the Secunda Local Criminal Record Centre.
The duo joined their family member, Pieter Grobler (41), who was arrested on February 5 for allegedly repackaging and selling expired and rotten food to members of the public.
The trio reportedly operated from a farm near Charl Cilliers. Grobler was released on R8 000 bail, while the Lombards were released following a brief appearance in the Secunda Magistrate's Court on July 1.
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The Lombards are accused of conspiring with Grobler to commit fraud and money laundering. All three are expected to appear in court together on August 1.
During Grobler's arrest in February, several items were seized at the scene, including a truck, two light delivery vehicles, seven refrigerators and other goods, which are now part of an ongoing investigation.
Brigadier Danie Hall, the Acting Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in Mpumalanga, praised the investigative and support teams for their efforts in apprehending the additional suspects.
'We, as the Hawks, will do our best to protect the community from falling prey to this inhumane act,' said Brigadier Hall.
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