SACP statement on the selling of rotten chicken to the public

The SACP is disgusted though not shocked by the reports that a company by the name of Supreme Poultry, which has also admitted that it is selling rotten chicken to the public (see City Press reports here and here). We are not shocked precisely because we have always known the capitalist system knows no decent bounds in its insatiable pursuit of profits. We also wonder to what extent is this practice by one poultry company may also just be the tip of the iceberg and how many other food companies are possibly selling us rotten meat everyday!

The SACP calls upon both the Departments of Trade and Industry (Dti) and Health (DoH) to institute an urgent investigation into this scandal. We strongly disagree with some media comments that our laws cannot be able to deal with this practice, which all intents and purposes is not only immoral but criminal as well. We call for very strong action against the culprits

The SACP is particularly outraged at the reported (and attempted) defence by Supreme Poultry that whilst it does not sell this rotten chicken to the big chainstores, yet it admits to selling such meat to wholesalers and spaza shops. This can only mean that rotten chicken is being sold to poor black South Africans, the majority of whom buy from ‘cheap' wholesale outlets and spaza shops. This is a racist trading practice and is offensive in the extreme.

The SACP is also concerned that such rotten food is being sold to poor black South Africans just because racist, greedy capitalists in the food industry, and probably beyond, assume that the digestive system of the poor is unable to distinguish between fresh and rotten food! This is clearly an affront to the dignity of the overwhelming majority of our people.

Statement issued by Malesela Maleka, SACP Spokesperson, December 29 2010

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