Media locked in fridge during lobster raid

2012-07-06 14:46

Beeld photographer Felix Dlangamandla argues with management while being locked up in a fridge at the Food Lovers' Market in Sandton for taking photos during a raid. (Werner Beukes, Sapa)

Johannesburg - About 50kg of undersized rock lobster have been seized at the Food Lover's Market in Sandton, the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries department said on Friday.

Spokesperson Steve Galane said a raid at the market found that some of the lobsters being sold for R50 each at the store were under the legal size of 7.5cm.

The department would file a criminal charge against the store on Friday afternoon after the inspection was completed, he said.

The raid saw some drama at the store where invited journalists had joined the fisheries officials.

Photographers and journalists were locked in a cold room by store management for taking photographs of the rock lobster.

Store manager Ben Reuben apparently tried to grab a photographer's camera and a short scuffle ensued.

Photographers refused to delete their footage and were released when police arrived at the scene.
Members of the media were invited to the raid by the department.

Sapa camerawoman Khatija Nxedlana tweeted that she was being held inside a "meat" fridge until she deleted her footage.

"Held by manager in the 'meat' fridge until pictures taken are deleted. Journos refuse - its freezing in hear ?#DAFF? [sic]", she wrote.

Sapa reporter Sandy Moeketsi said she was chased out of the shop.

The store refused to comment on the findings made by the department.

- SAPA