Pick n Pay has come under fire after one of its franchise stores in Blu Valley Mall, Centurion, was shut down by the Tshwane metro for serious health violations. The closure follows a compliance and health inspection on February 21, 2025, which uncovered shocking breaches of hygiene and safety regulations.
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Unhygienic Conditions Exposed
Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya, along with the metro’s health services inspectors, conducted the Re A Spana program inspection, aiming to enforce strict health and safety regulations across businesses in the city. Officials were appalled at the conditions found at the store, which posed a significant health risk to consumers.
During the inspection, authorities found:
✅ Uncovered pots with food
✅ Vegetables scattered on the floor
✅ Meat stored at unsafe temperatures
✅ Rotten vegetables, including tomatoes, being repackaged for sale
✅ Personal belongings stored in food preparation areas
✅ A filthy bakery infested with cockroaches
Mayor Moya did not hold back, posting a video on X (formerly Twitter) to expose the appalling conditions in the store’s bakery.
🗣️ “For those who are buying their baked products from Pick n Pay, this is how it’s made. There are cockroaches here, and the bakery is dirty.”
She further warned customers to avoid purchasing from the store should it attempt to operate without addressing the violations.
Pick n Pay Responds: ‘Completely Unacceptable’
Following the public outcry, Pick n Pay launched an immediate investigation into the findings. Tamra Capstick-Dale, the company’s spokesperson, condemned the conditions as “completely unacceptable” and assured the public that corrective measures were underway.
📢 “We apologise to our customers at the Reeds Store situated at Blu Valley Mall for what happened, and we undertake to fix it quickly and ensure there is no recurrence.”
She confirmed that:
🔹 Management arrived within 30 minutes of being notified
🔹 A full audit of the store is being conducted
🔹 The store, which is a franchise, will face strict accountability measures
Capstick-Dale reiterated that the conditions found during the inspection do not meet Pick n Pay’s standards, and immediate steps are being taken to rectify the situation.
Metro’s Commitment to Enforcing Regulations
The Tshwane metro has made it clear that all businesses, big or small, must comply with health regulations. MMC for Environment and Agriculture Obakeng Ramabodu stressed that major retailers like Pick n Pay, Shoprite, and SPAR are not exempt from inspections.
🔎 Key Metro Actions Taken:
✔️ Revoked five compliance certificates
✔️ Ordered the store to remain shut until fully compliant
✔️ Enforcing strict re-inspection processes before reopening
MMC for Health Tshegofatso Mashabela stated:
💬 “The bakery and one of the store’s kitchens were found to be non-compliant. The certificates will remain revoked until everything is fixed.”
Consumer Reactions & Health Concerns
Shoppers in Centurion have expressed outrage over the findings, demanding higher accountability from Pick n Pay and other large retailers. Many have raised concerns about food safety and how such severe violations went undetected for so long.
Some customers have even called for regular independent audits to ensure continued compliance with health regulations.
What Happens Next?
The Pick n Pay Blu Valley Mall store will remain closed indefinitely until it meets the required health standards. Authorities have vowed to continue random inspections to ensure that all businesses in the metro comply with food safety regulations.
Meanwhile, Pick n Pay is working to restore public trust by conducting a thorough review of its franchise operations.
