General Trading Firm Shut Down, Faces Prosecution Over Alleged Sale of Repackaged Expired Goods

By Awan Achiek

Authorities in Juba County have initiated legal proceedings against H Brothers General Trading and Investment Company Limited. This action follows an inspection of the company’s warehouse in Gumbo, which uncovered allegations that expired food products were being repackaged and sold with altered expiry dates.

The inspection, conducted on Sunday, was led by Caretaker Governor General Augustino Jadalla Kamilo Wani and Caretaker Commissioner Kalisto Lado.

The inspection team discovered quantities of flour, biscuits, cooking oil, sugar, and other food items allegedly repackaged into new sacks, jerry cans, and boxes with altered expiry dates.

Addressing the media on Monday at the company’s warehouse, Kalisto Lado Foustino, the Caretaker Commissioner of Juba County, announced that Governor Jadalla has directed Juba County to pursue appropriate legal measures against the company.

“The governor has directed immediate legal procedures to be taken against the managers and all the people responsible for this sale of spoiled and expired goods,” Kalisto stated.

He added that the governor also ordered the company’s closure until the South Sudan National Bureau of Standards verifies the suspected expired goods.

“The governor has directed the closure of this company. This company must remain closed until the Bureau of Standards verifies everything and the results are out,” he emphasized.

Kalisto further noted that the governor has instructed all relevant authorities, including the South Sudan National Bureau of Standards, Juba County authorities, and security agencies, to collaborate closely to prevent similar incidents.

“The message sent from here to all companies operating in Central Equatoria is that the governor has declared that any company operating in Central Equatoria must give access to the Bureau of Standards.”

“The National Bureau of Standards must enter any company to verify things, to examine things, to see whether the goods we have are not expired and are not spoiled.”

He clarified that these measures were taken to protect the lives and safety of the people of South Sudan.

For his part, Lt. Gen. Andria Martin Hassan, Assistant Inspector General of Police and Commissioner of Police in Central Equatoria State, confirmed that security forces and police are working together to address the issue.

Gen. Martin alleged that influential individuals were backing these corrupt practices and using their authority to protect companies involved. He added that authorities are handling the matter cautiously.

He stressed that security forces are proceeding carefully and in accordance with the law, asserting that no interference with the investigation would be tolerated.

“The governor is a general, and so am I. We are all generals. If necessary, we will bring in another general to handle this case,” he declared.

He issued a warning to individuals allegedly supporting those involved in the malpractice, stating that authorities would not remain silent while citizens are exposed to harm through corrupt practices.