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Delta Beverages in court over 'worms' in soft drink
2 hrs ago |
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A 34-year-old Harare man has taken legal action against Delta Beverages after alleging that he discovered foreign objects in a 300ml Coca-Cola soft drink he was consuming, which he described in court as worms.
The case is being heard at the Harare Magistrates Court, where the first accused is Violet Musandukwa, a vendor who allegedly sold the drink, while Delta Beverages is cited as the second accused and is represented by Chenai J Chawafambira.
Both accused are facing charges of contravening the Public Health Act.
The complainant, Shepherd Mukonomera, told the court during cross-examination that he began spitting out the contents after noticing what he believed were worms in the drink.
However, lawyers for Delta Beverages disputed this account, arguing that the foreign matter was in fact maggots rather than worms.
The defence further told the court that the drink had been submitted for laboratory testing at a government facility, where it was visually examined and classified as containing maggots. Additional scientific analysis, they said, later indicated that the material was starch.
The matter is being presided over by Harare magistrate Mrs Lisa Mutendereki, who adjourned the case to May 18 for continuation of trial proceedings.
Court papers state that the incident occurred on October 19, 2023, along Mbuya Nehanda Street in Harare, where Mukonomera allegedly purchased the soft drink from Musandukwa.
It is alleged that after consuming part of the drink, he noticed unknown foreign objects and immediately spat out what he had ingested before filing a police report, which led to the arrest of the accused parties.
The remaining contents of the beverage were subsequently sent for forensic laboratory analysis, with an official report now forming part of the evidence before the court.
The case continues to draw attention due to its implications for public health standards and product safety monitoring in the food and beverage industry.
The case is being heard at the Harare Magistrates Court, where the first accused is Violet Musandukwa, a vendor who allegedly sold the drink, while Delta Beverages is cited as the second accused and is represented by Chenai J Chawafambira.
Both accused are facing charges of contravening the Public Health Act.
The complainant, Shepherd Mukonomera, told the court during cross-examination that he began spitting out the contents after noticing what he believed were worms in the drink.
However, lawyers for Delta Beverages disputed this account, arguing that the foreign matter was in fact maggots rather than worms.
The matter is being presided over by Harare magistrate Mrs Lisa Mutendereki, who adjourned the case to May 18 for continuation of trial proceedings.
Court papers state that the incident occurred on October 19, 2023, along Mbuya Nehanda Street in Harare, where Mukonomera allegedly purchased the soft drink from Musandukwa.
It is alleged that after consuming part of the drink, he noticed unknown foreign objects and immediately spat out what he had ingested before filing a police report, which led to the arrest of the accused parties.
The remaining contents of the beverage were subsequently sent for forensic laboratory analysis, with an official report now forming part of the evidence before the court.
The case continues to draw attention due to its implications for public health standards and product safety monitoring in the food and beverage industry.
Source - the herald
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