By Staff Reporter
HARARE — Zimbabwe’s biggest beverage manufacturer, Delta Corporation, has shifted the spotlight onto the country’s growing counterfeit goods market as it fights allegations that a bottle of Coca-Cola sold in Harare was contaminated with maggots.
The trial underway before magistrate on Thursday, centres on claims by Harare resident Shepherd Mukonomera that he discovered “unknown foreign objects” inside a 300ml Coke after drinking most of it.
According to court papers, Mukonomera bought the soft drink from a street vendor at Number 62 Mbuya Nehanda in central Harare on October 19, 2023.
“The complainant purchased a 300ml Coca Cola soft drink… whilst drinking the soft drink after reaching about a quarter he then saw some unknown foreign objects,” the State outline reads.
During Thursday’s hearing the complainant described the particles as worms.
The court heard that a government laboratory visually identified the particles as maggots, although another scientific test reportedly concluded the substance was starch.
Delta Beverages, represented by Chenai Chawafambira, strongly denied the drink originated from its production line and argued the case highlights risks posed by fake products circulating on the market.
“The market is flooded with counterfeit goods,” Delta said in its defence outline.
The company added: “There is nothing on record to prove that the alleged contaminated product was produced at the 2nd Accused’s plant.”
Delta further argued that contamination would be “physically impossible” within its production systems, describing its bottling process as “highly regulated, automated and sealed”.
The second accused, vendor Violet Musandukwa, told investigators she was shocked after the customer raised the complaint.
“Upon checking the drink, I saw that there were white organisms at the bottom of the Coca-Cola bottle,” she said.
Delta also challenged the scientific findings, arguing that “visual inspection” and other tests relied on by investigators produced “unconclusive results”.
The beverages giant has since requested the court to inspect its manufacturing plant as part of its defence.
Trial continues on May 18.
Source —ZimLive
