A number of popular local restaurant outlets, owned by Pakistani nationals, have fallen victim to a hoax text message circulating information regarding their halal status. VOC News was asked to investigate claims of an “unhalal meat” supply from Zimbabwe to these eateries.
The sms reads: “Assalam. Pakistani guys bringing in haraam boxed beef from Zimbabwe and main buyer is Food Inn, Mumbai Cafe and Eastern Bazaar, who all have halal certificates. A chef has exposed Mr Hashiem Tiseker of Foodinn Long Street. As Muslims we must expose and boycott such places. Please pass on this message to as many Muslims.”
According to the owner of Food Inn India, Hashiem Tiseker, the rumours were a business tactic used by his competitors as a way to negatively influence the success of his business. Tiseker owns the Long Street and Riverside Mall branches.
All the mentioned restaurants have become popular hot spots within the local Muslim community and can be seen buzzing with long queues of customers, standing in line for traditional Indian and Malay dishes. Tiseker said all meats were sought locally. This was also echoed by another source, who deals with the purchasing of meat in Cape Town.
VOC News confirmed the restaurants are certified halal by the Islamic Council of South Africa (ICSA). The halal regulator called the text messages “rumours without sufficient grounds”.
For more information on halal and related issues, contact local regulators to avoid any rumours which often carry with it irreversible consequences for the parties affected. VOC (Ra’eesah Isaacs).
