Hanover Park residents protest against pork chop shop
|Published
SCENE: Shoprite in H.Park SCENE: Shoprite in H.Park
Hanover Park residents have threatened to shut down Shoprite amid the ongoing vleis debate following a decision by the winkel to close their halaal butchery.
Thursday morning, angry residents gathered outside the store near the taxi terminus with posters branding Shoprite “varkerag” for failing to consider the customers who have
supported them for years.
Shoprite says the decision comes amid a “dramatic decline” in halaal meat sales over the past year, but angry residents say they don’t believe it.
The picket, led by community workers Cameron Wheldon and Ebrahiem Abrahams, caused a stir on the taxi terminus as they demanded Shoprite’s regional managers address the community.
The uproar follows a notification placed in the shop window telling residents that the butcher will no longer be halaal as of Monday past.
Picket was led by community workers Cameron Wheldon. Picture: Monique Duval
According to staff, while there were currently no pork products on the shelves, “it is on its way”.
Residents picketed outside the store, with posters calling Shoprite “varkerag” and called for “Hands off our Halaal Butchery”.
Resident Charmain McConney, 51, says: “Even as a Christian person I am kwaad.
“This place has always been halaal and most of us are so used to it and we don’t mind.
“Now they come with this and we have supported them for so many years.
“We don’t believe they are not making money because this place is full every day.
“They are making unnecessary trouble and they must come and explain how they came to this decision. I mean, we [Christians] did not ask for pork chops,” she says.
Residents demand that the Shoprite store remains halaal. Picture: Jack Lesttade
Abrahams says after speaking to the manager they were told they needed to submit a letter.
“We are going to submit a letter, asking them to meet with us in 48 hours, or on Saturday we shut the place,” he warned.
“The picket was peaceful and so they did not take us seriously, but we will see on
Saturday.”
Hanover Park residents protesting outside the Shoprite. Picture: Monique Duval
Shoprite said on Thursday they have not received any communication from disgruntled residents about the closure of the halaal butchery, adding: “As a business, we will always engage with our customers and reach out to the communities in which we trade when we revisit and adapt our strategies to remain viable as well as relevant to our market and varied customer base.”