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Sukulwenkosi Dube  Plumtree Correspondent
SAVEMORE Supermarket in Plumtree Town has been fined for selling expired foodstuffs. The supermarket, which is located at Dingumuzi suburb, was ordered to pay a $100 fine for selling expired dairy products. The shop manager, Gumisani Chipere, 56, appeared before Plumtree magistrate Livard Philemon facing charges of displaying expired goods for sale.

Chipere pleaded for leniency saying the staff at the supermarket overlooked the expired goods.

“I beg your pardon Your Worship, we didn’t put up those expired goods for sale on purpose. The workers didn’t realise there were expired goods otherwise we would have disposed of them,” he said.

“We’re very strict on our operations and we don’t sell expired goods. The supermarket staff forgot to check on the goods to ensure expired ones were removed from the shelves as we normally do.”

Prosecutor Clemence Shawarira told how on March 16, 2015, detectives received information that Chipere had displayed expired goods at the supermarket.

He said the detectives proceeded to AJY Savemore Supermarket where they found 47 packets of 250ml expired Dendairy milk.

Shawarira said the expired milk was confiscated resulting in Chipere’s arrest.

Philemon ordered Chipere to pay $100. “I’m hearing your plea but this offence is a serious one and it cannot be overlooked given that it is illegal to sell expired goods to customers.

“When it comes to handling food you’ve to be careful,” he said.