03-07-2025
Two family members of 'rotten food farmer' arrested by Hawks
Two family members will join Mpumalanga farmer Pieter Grobler, who is accused of repackaging and selling expired and rotten food for human consumption, in court after they were arrested by the Hawks this week.
'Mark Lombard, 29, and Sonnet Lombard, 46, have joined Pieter Grobler, 41, who was released on R8,000 bail after he was arrested for repackaging and selling expired and rotten food for human consumption at a farm in Charl Cilliers [in Mpumalanga] in February,' Hawks spokesperson Magonseni Nkosi told TimesLIVE on Wednesday.
'The two suspects, believed to be Grobler's relatives, were arrested by the Hawks' Secunda serious organised crime investigation-led team, including tactical response team, Secunda K9, Charl Cillier SAPS and Secunda criminal records centre officers [and] brand owners on Tuesday.'
The Lombards were released on warning after their brief court appearance in Secunda magistrate's court on Tuesday.
'The two suspects allegedly conspired with Grobler to commit fraudulent activities and money laundering. They were warned by the court to appear with Grobler on August 1.'
According to the Hawks, during Grobler's arrest several assets were found on the scene and are subject to further investigation.
