Topic Wiki

Cape Town

Trip Reports
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UPDATED: Kosher Info from Beth Din in Cape Town (last updated Dec. 2020) http://www.uos.co.za/kashrut/ct_kosher.asp

Kashrus Note According to link above, all meat is glatt however milk is NOT Chalav Israel.

Restaurants

NameTypeHoursContactLocation & Description
Avron's Place (Sea Point)
Meat
S – T: 11am – 3pm; 5pm – 10pm; F: 11am – 2:30pm
+27 (0)21 439 7610 Link
19 – 33 Regent Road - Oldest kosher meat restaurant in SA. The humbly adorned, family-friendly eatery, serves a wide variety of dishes, including beef ribs, burgers, mixed grills, boerewors, Cape lamb curry, vegetarian platters, pastas and sushi. Prices rather reasonable. On Tuesdays there's a special on its beef burger and chips (R49 instead of the usual R59). Offers takeaways and catering and packed Shabbat meals for visitors. For the Sephardim the meat is Bet Yosef. But check to make sure.
The Press (Sea Point)
Meat
S – T: noon – late; F: 11am – 3pm; Sat: 1 hour after Shabbat till late
+27 (0)21 434 7724 Website
176 Main Road - Restaurant and Bar (many craft beers on tap).
Coffee Time (Gardens)
Milk
M – T: 8am – 3:30pm; F: 8am – 3pm
+27 (0)21 461 8414
20 Breda Street - Set in an old house in a lush, garden environment. Lawn seating with views of Table Mountain. Breakfast, brunch or lunch. Menu includes scrambled egg, salmon and humus wrap, fish bobotie with homemade chutney, tuna lasagne, sandwich, salad, quiche or smoothie. Early-morning special between 8am and 11am (a combo of two eggs, grilled tomato and mushrooms goes for R25) and also serves a delicious, and incredibly popular, buffet lunch every Wednesday between 12:30pm and 2:30pm. Gluten-free and sugar-free options. Offers catering. Proceeds support the Astra Centre.
Café Riteve (Gardens)
Milk
S – T: 8:30am – 5pm; F: 8:30am – 3pm
+27 (0)21 465 1594
Website
88 Hatfield Street - Located on a piazza that’s part of the same centre as the historical Gardens Shul, the South African Jewish Museum, the Cape Town Holocaust Centre and the Jacob Gitlin Library. Large and varied menu includes three-egg omelette, sushi salad, grilled hake, falafel with dukkah wedges and humus, tuna and mushroom cannelloni, smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwich and chocolate ganache-filled croissant. Also sells range of shakes and juices as well as kosher wine and liquors. Offers catering, takeaways, no delivery. They had some CY, just ask. The earlier you go the more likely the have.
Goldies Deli and Diner (Sea Point)
Meat & Pareve
S – T: 8:30am – 8pm; F: 8:30am – 4:30pm
+27 (0)21 439 3008
Link
174 Main Road - Meat and parev deli and bakery - next door and connected to The Press. Menu include burgers, steak rolls, schwarmas, bagels, salads, fish cakes, breakfast plates and more. Specials every Wednesday and Friday (deals like a three-course meal for four for R120). Delivery is free in Sea Point. Bakery treats include carrot cake, cinnamon twists, chocolate brownies, doughnuts, cupcakes, apple crumble, croissants and teiglach. Offers Shabbat meal orders.
Café B'tayavon @ Highlands House
Milk
021 461 1100
9 Gorge Rd, Highlands Estate - Snacks and Light Meals
Jean's Kitchen @ The Kaplan Centre
Milk
021 650 3064 info@jeanskitchen.co.za
The Kaplan Centre - University of Cape Town - Tea, coffee,
sandwiches, gourmet salads, falafel etc
Baskin Robbins @ Mojo Market (Sea Point)
Note: This is the only kosher B & R
All ice creams, ice cream cones, milkshakes and waffles are Kosher, milchik.
The following topping ONLY are kosher: Crushed Almonds, Crushed Cashews, Fudge, Mini Astros, Mint Crunch
NB: Cakes are NOT KOSHER

Bakeries, Groceries & Ice Cream
Checkers Sea Point- 76 Regent Road - They have a large selection of kosher products including a kosher take out and bakery.
Spar Sea Point - 96 Regent Road - They have a large selection of kosher products including a kosher take out and bakery.

Shuls
Sea point is the main Jewish area.
Green and Sea Point Hebrew Congregation (Marais Road Shul)
Chabad


Hotels with Points near a Shul (Walking Minutes)
Protea Sea Point

Airport Transfer Options
Cab -
Executive Bus -
Public Bus -
Train -

Major Activities
Name
Cost
Distance from CPT
Description and Notes
Boulders Beach
R17035 min• "I found that there were two different entrances, boardwalk and beach. The boardwalk has a higher density of penguins but if you want a better experience, I recommend visiting the beach side- especially at low tide. Because of the tide I was able to walk past the few dozen folks on the beach, climb under and over some boulders, and encounter effectively a different private beach- with penguins!!"
• For budget travelers, take the train to Simonstown and from there a cab to Boulders beach - R20.
Betty’s Bay
1.25 hoursAlso features African Penguins though less crowded than Boulders beach, though further.
Chapman's Peak Drive
R45/car45 min• Beautiful scenery, you have the mountain on one side and the ocean on the other side, great pics, great to make a BBQ come during daylight hours.
NOTE: You need Rand or an SA issued card to pay for the Chapman's Peak toll.
Cape of Good Hope/Cape Point
R360/pp1.5 hours• LONG but AMAZING drive
• almost a full day activity
Lions Head
• Hike - not difficult
• Paragliding - around $85 (prices might be outdated). Book ahead
Robben Island
Tours depart three times a day and take about 3.5 hours, consisting of a ferry trip to and from the island, and a tour of the various historical sites on the island that form part of the Robben Island Museum. These include the island graveyard, the disused lime quarry, Robert Sobukwe's house, the Bluestone quarry, the army and navy bunkers, and the maximum security prison. Nelson Mandela's cell is shown. Reviews are mixed
Table Mountain (Cable car or hike)
~R350• Follow on Twitter for updates on if open or closed
• Cableway costs ~R350 rand pp - depends if morning or afternoon
• Can repel down
• 895 rand pp (prices might be outdated)
• repel for like 15 mins
• hike back up is 25 mins
• Closes 6pm
• BOOK IN ADVANCE
Signal Hill
Go there for a sunset with bit more a "local" flavor. Views aren't great compared to Lion's Head and can be quite crowded at sunset.
V & A Waterfront
The Garden Route
long scenic drive

Kirstenbosch Gardens
Shark Diving
$88 +$34 for video (prices might be outdated)2 hoursCan do in Gansbaii. Links:1, 2, 3

Sandboarding
Bring goggles!
Skydiving
$170 (prices might be outdated)
Cheaper
Quad Biking (ATVs)

Hout Bay market

Kayaking at Hout Bay
Link
Amazing experience. Views may very but can often see Heaviside dolphins jumping right in front of you
Cheetah Outreach
Where you can go and pet cheetahs and other animals super cool. Website

Aquila Private Game Reserve

2 hoursPricey but quality accommodations for overnight stays. Good for people who aren't leaving Cape Town area but want to see wildlife. Some dismiss as a "glorified zoo"
Cango Wildlife Ranch

5 hours


Winelands
[Likely way more then listed but those are the few I remember]
(Might be worthwhile to make a trip to the winelands, even if one does not enjoy wine, for the scenery. Only about an hour or two from CPT)
  • Franschoek
  • Kleine Dracken - Kosher
  • Backsberg - Kosher

Johannesburg

Trip Reports
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MarkusLink
YaaliliLink
Yehuda57Link
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Restaurants
http://www.uos.co.za/kashrut/restaurants.asp

http://yeahthatskosher.com/2013/04/kosher-restaurants-travel-advice-for-johannesburg-south-africa-joberg/

Map of Kosher Johannesburg

NameTypeContactLocation & Description
Corner Cafe (Glenhazel)
Milk
+27 11 440-3160 Link
Corner of Queens square and cross road in Glenhazel. Corner Café is the best place to go (or maybe the only) for kosher gluten free muffins. I’m told they’re very good. They also have great breakfasts and pastas, but I usually stick with a toasted cheese and chips.
Dee-Jays (Sandton)
Milk
+27 11 883-2265 Link
Morningview Shopping Centre, 100 South Road, 2196 - Dee-Jays provides casual dairy food that is perfect for a breakfast out with the family. Their fishballs are really good and if you need a cake in the Sandton area, they’re the place to go.
Market Cafe (Norood Mall)
Milk
Cholov Yisroel cafe
KosherWorld, Mi Vami Kosher and Chop N Wok (Glenhazel)
+27 11 440 1402 Website
1 Long Avenue, Johannesburg, 2192
Gelatisimo (Glenhazel)
Across the road from Kosher World, authentic Italian gelato. Chalav Yisroel. Absolutely fantastic.
Michelos (Glenhazel)
Milk
+27 11 885-1500 Link
17 Northfield Ave, Johannesburg, 2192 - Michelos is the second best pizza restaurant. They are very centrally located (in the Jewish area of Glenhazel) and their food is nice. Never go there the night after Pesach because you’ll wait hours but most other times are good, plus they serve chalav yisrael.
Nandos Kosher (Savoy)
Meat
+27 11 885-1496 Website
553 Louis Botha Ave, Savoy, Johannesburg, 2090, South Africa - Nandos is a large chain of Portuguese chicken restaurants, but there is only one kosher Nandos in South Africa, so be aware that you can’t step into any of them! They serve top notch chicken but be sure to also try their beef burger (and order extra sauce).
Next Door "Non-CY" (Norwood)
Milk
+27 11 728-2577 Link
80 Grant Ave, Johannesburg, 2192 - Next Door is rated as a top restaurant in Johannesburg, kosher and not, so you know it must be pretty good. It is usually full so booking is highly recommended. While their sushi may not be top class, their pizzas certainly are and, if you’re around in Summer, definitely try their fish braai (barbeque in South African).
Pie Works (Sandringham)
+27 11 485 2447 Website
74 George Ave, Johannesburg, 2192 - Their pies (clearly) are the best kosher pies in the country and are perfect if you want to buy some to take home and reheat. Their burgers are delicious and the have a milk side with pizza that is really good. They’re situated on what is known as the Kosher Strip, so any Jew will be able to direct you.
RTG "Ready to Go" (Norwood)
A fast food place next door to ... Next Door. While they do offer steak and a Chinese menu, the focus is their extensive burger and hot dog menu.
The Deli Store (Sandton)
011-656-3142 / 4915  info@thedelistore.co.za, http://thedelistore.co.za/menus/main-menu/
Shop 52, (opposite Woolworths) Morning Glen Shopping Mall Cnr Bowling & Kelvin Road Gallo Manor - Reviewed in CBS's TR, as having excellent food for very low prices. According to Google is "Permanently Closed".
So Sushi (Glenhazel)
Jozi Blue (Glenhazel)
Milk
They have some items Cholov Yisroel, which they will serve on disposables on request


Bakeries, Groceries & Ice Cream
Kosher World - http://www.kosherworld.co.za/

Shuls

Hotels with Points near a Shul (Walking Minutes)

Airport Transfer Options
Cab - Uber
Executive Bus - Shuttle from HLA airport to anywhere in Sandton for R80 per person.
Public Bus -
Train - Gautrain from JNB airport is R135-155 depending on destination. Must purchase gold card before for R13.

Major Activities
Apartheid Museum
Flea Market
Gold Reef City - amusement park, along with other African themed attractions (tribal dancing, old "gold mine tour")
Lion Park - see lions from your car up close, pet lion cubs.
Monte Casino - Casino and shopping mall, with cool "outdoor" Tuscan style
Soweto Tour
Pilanesberg Safari- If you can't make it to Kruger for malaria, time or other concerns,  this is a much smaller park with less wildlife, and not as good of an experience, but definitely well worth it. About 2 hours out of Joburg, it can be done in your own vehicle, but will be a lot better with a guided game drive.
Sun City Right outside of Pilansberg
Elephant & Monkey Sanctuary- About an hour out of Joburg. Get close to elephants, touch, feed and ride them. The monkey sanctuary has a massive enclosure with hundreds of various monkeys and lemurs. No feeding or touching, unless one jumps on you. If you do go to Pilansberg, this can be done on the way.

Kruger National Park

Trip Reports
CbsLink
shmebebleLink
txtmax4Link
Jomaster28Link


Tour Options

Major Activities

Near Kruger:

The Panoramic Route includes a half dozen waterfalls; Lisbon, Horseshoe, Bridal Vail, Mac Mac, Sabie and others; The Potholes, G-d's Window, Wonder View, The Pinnacle, The Three Rondawels and views of the stunning Blyde River Canyon (third largest canyon in the world).

AJK SA trip route planning - forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=33867.msg669659#msg669659

« Last edited by mendelk on February 20, 2022, 11:02:13 PM »

Author Topic: Southern Africa (SA/Zim/Zam/Botswana/Namibia) Master Thread  (Read 467465 times)

Offline Dawie

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1160 on: February 04, 2018, 01:58:29 PM »
What do you mean? I didn't fill out this info when I purchased the ticket and I am sure that my parents will not want to carry around the 3 CCs, 2 of which have been subsequently cancelled.
they dont know that
you are just using this as proof

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1161 on: February 04, 2018, 02:43:19 PM »
You are lucky they didn't ask for the birth certificate when you arrived. They can and have stopped people from entering the country without it.
Oh we had it. We were just not asked for it.

Offline Joe4007

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1162 on: February 08, 2018, 12:27:59 PM »
Looks like a couple of nice / commonly used (here) Marriott hotels are going up in category:

- African Pride 15 On Orange Hotel - Going from 5 to 6
- Protea Hotel Cape Town Sea Point - Going from 3 to 4
- Protea Hotel Kruger Gate - Going from 1 to 2

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1163 on: February 08, 2018, 12:31:50 PM »
Looks like a couple of nice / commonly used (here) Marriott hotels are going up in category:

- African Pride 15 On Orange Hotel - Going from 5 to 6
- Protea Hotel Cape Town Sea Point - Going from 3 to 4
- Protea Hotel Kruger Gate - Going from 1 to 2
I know. Shame that. The Sea Point Protea was a real find: not only close to shul and restaurants (kosher food), but it was also right on the beach.

Offline mijo

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1164 on: February 15, 2018, 05:06:48 AM »
I know. Shame that. The Sea Point Protea was a real find: not only close to shul and restaurants (kosher food), but it was also right on the beach.

Agree with location re: shuls and kosher restaturants but it's on the main road and noisy. Rooms are small and "new lobby" doesn't have more than a few seats just a large central table with some office chairs
Wouldn't go back unless I have to use Marriott points AND stay in Sea Point

Offline moisheyb

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1165 on: February 15, 2018, 07:40:31 AM »
Agree with location re: shuls and kosher restaturants but it's on the main road and noisy. Rooms are small and "new lobby" doesn't have more than a few seats just a large central table with some office chairs
Wouldn't go back unless I have to use Marriott points AND stay in Sea Point

The junior suite  is pretty good and luxury suite is very nice.

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1166 on: February 15, 2018, 09:17:04 AM »
Agree with location re: shuls and kosher restaturants but it's on the main road and noisy. Rooms are small and "new lobby" doesn't have more than a few seats just a large central table with some office chairs
Wouldn't go back unless I have to use Marriott points AND stay in Sea Point
All fair points, except it wasn't noisy and we didn't have another choice. Where would you stay? Somewhere farther away?

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1169 on: March 08, 2018, 11:07:42 AM »
OMG that is major
&feature=youtu.be&mc_cid=bc04fa8c2e&mc_eid=31592aacf4

Beth Din Statement
https://mailchi.mp/uos/beth-din-statement?e=1034411907

Offline Boruch999

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1170 on: March 08, 2018, 01:23:50 PM »
I am not a kashrus professional.  But I would have thought that a mashgiach employed by the business, especially if the owner is not shomer torah umitzvos, is not up to standard.  The primary defense against this type of thing is the mashgiach checking the contents of the freezer and refrigerator against the delivery invoices. It does not seem that that was done here, and in fact would be hard for a mashgiach who answers to the proprietor to do effectively.

@moko ?

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1171 on: March 08, 2018, 03:52:49 PM »
I am not a kashrus professional.  But I would have thought that a mashgiach employed by the business, especially if the owner is not shomer torah umitzvos, is not up to standard.  The primary defense against this type of thing is the mashgiach checking the contents of the freezer and refrigerator against the delivery invoices. It does not seem that that was done here, and in fact would be hard for a mashgiach who answers to the proprietor to do effectively.

@moko ?


Exactly, that's the way it is in most of the world. Plus, the mashgichim should be employed by the Beis Din, and not by the business, and they should be highly knowledgeable, qualified, and competent. The mashgichim should be the only ones with the keys to the freezer.  It's not the first time it happened in Johannesburg.

But, South Africa is a country filled with widespread corruption from the bottom up.


 

Offline as2

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1172 on: March 08, 2018, 04:35:49 PM »
I am not a kashrus professional.  But I would have thought that a mashgiach employed by the business, especially if the owner is not shomer torah umitzvos, is not up to standard.  The primary defense against this type of thing is the mashgiach checking the contents of the freezer and refrigerator against the delivery invoices. It does not seem that that was done here, and in fact would be hard for a mashgiach who answers to the proprietor to do effectively.

@moko ?
In Chicago, most mashgichim are employed by the business, not the kashrus organization.
Memories last forever, make them while you can.

Offline moko

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1173 on: March 08, 2018, 05:52:16 PM »

Exactly, that's the way it is in most of the world. Plus, the mashgichim should be employed by the Beis Din, and not by the business, and they should be highly knowledgeable, qualified, and competent. The mashgichim should be the only ones with the keys to the freezer.
I'll address a couple of things.
1. The on-site Mashgiach in Israel is referred to as a ne'eman Kashrut and in London a shomer Kashrut. The reason is he is not the Mashgiach but rather the on-site employee who is believed for Kashrus purposes. The Mashgiach is the person who  checks up on the Mashgichim 1,2 or even 3 times per week. Some places even have daily checks. That said, when I was in tbe field I was a firm believer that a Mashgiach or ne'eman Kashrut must be employed by the hashgacha. Now in my administrative position, I understand why that can be extremely difficult.
1. If a client is delinquent in payment you still have to pay the Mashgiach. The community won't be very forgiving if you pull hashgacha for financial reasons.
2.clients are looking to cut costs and like to give a Mashgiach other work. We are ok with that (and sometimes even encourage it) as long as it doesn't interfere in his hashgacha tasks. The clients feel they can can only ask one of their own employees to do such work.
3. When I pay Mashgichim directly, I have to upcharge the hourly rate by at least 30% to cover all the insurances, bookkeeping, fica , etc. Very often it's cheaper for a mom and pop restaurant to pay the Mashgiach directly.
I still believe in paying by Mashgichim from the hashgacha but the only way to do it is to demand an average of 2 months wages in escrow and the average wages paid upfront every week in order to make payroll.  I have yet to find a client willing to do this.
Regarding locks, I have found that no matter what some who's not supposed to have it, always ends up with the key or combination.
We use single use zip tie seals that the Mashgichim sign and date in Hebrew.

Offline moko

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1174 on: March 08, 2018, 05:55:47 PM »
In Chicago, North America most mashgichim are employed by the business, not the kashrus organization.
our organization is unique and most of our Mashgichim are employed by us. That said i can be very difficult to make payroll when clients are late on payment. You need to have upwards of $500000 in the account at any time to ensure the smooth running of the organization.

Offline Dawie

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1175 on: March 08, 2018, 06:56:45 PM »

Exactly, that's the way it is in most of the world. Plus, the mashgichim should be employed by the Beis Din, and not by the business, and they should be highly knowledgeable, qualified, and competent. The mashgichim should be the only ones with the keys to the freezer.  It's not the first time it happened in Johannesburg.

But, South Africa is a country filled with widespread corruption from the bottom up.
whats the point of posting that video, pray tell?

Online Yehuda57

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1176 on: March 08, 2018, 08:10:57 PM »

The mashgichim should be the only ones with the keys to the freezer. 

It is that way in South Africa. Only the Mashgiach had the key to the fridge and freezer. The treif chickens were brought in with the mashgiach on premises, after he had unlocked the freezer.
It's not the first time it happened in Johannesburg.
Are you referring to the cheese from 20 years ago? That was uncovered because of discrepancies with invoices, which you implied they don't check.

But, South Africa is a country filled with widespread corruption from the bottom up.
If you are implying that the UOS is corrupt, that's quite a serious charge. If you want to say they are incompetent, on the heels of this story it would be hard to argue. But to accuse them of corruption on a public forum demands evidence.

The Kashrus department has always impressed observers from outside hechsherim. AFAIK, every single one who provides a hechsher on African products relies entirely on the UOS hechsher. This is an awful story, but similar stories have occurred in other parts of the world under fine hechsherim. While lessons can and will be learned, I don't think this is an indictment on the Beis Din or the kashrus dept.

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1177 on: March 09, 2018, 10:00:44 AM »
[Stating things eloquently] seems to be Yehuda57's job around here :)

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1178 on: March 09, 2018, 10:04:10 AM »
It is that way in South Africa. Only the Mashgiach had the key to the fridge and freezer. The treif chickens were brought in with the mashgiach on premises, after he had unlocked the freezer.Are you referring to the cheese from 20 years ago? That was uncovered because of discrepancies with invoices, which you implied they don't check.
If you are implying that the UOS is corrupt, that's quite a serious charge. If you want to say they are incompetent, on the heels of this story it would be hard to argue. But to accuse them of corruption on a public forum demands evidence.

The Kashrus department has always impressed observers from outside hechsherim. AFAIK, every single one who provides a hechsher on African products relies entirely on the UOS hechsher. This is an awful story, but similar stories have occurred in other parts of the world under fine hechsherim. While lessons can and will be learned, I don't think this is an indictment on the Beis Din or the kashrus dept.

It could be that only the mashgiach had the keys to fridge and freezer, but the question is was it ever left opened? Was the mashgiach always attentive, pro-active, and on-premises (mashgiach temidi) - or was he also running errands and making deliveries during the day?

Now as far as the forensics, they should be able to tell, i.e. kosher meat cuts come from forequarter cuts, treif comes from hindquarter cuts. One can easily differentiate as long big cuts can only come from the treif hindquarters. One can tell shechita slaughtered birds apart, as they have a different cut at the neck flap, plus the wing tip is cut off. The skin appearance and texture is different because of the salting, and the kosher de-feathering process is different, as kosher chickens cannot be soaked in hot water to open up the pores.

I meant to say that South Africa is a corrupt country, where corruption is rampant and part of everyday life, starting from high up, in every organisation in the government. See a list: http://www.reddit.com/r/southafrica/comments/7hqia1/quick_corruption_overview    Economist described SA: "Contracts are awarded through bribes and connections; ruling-party members murder each other over lucrative government jobs; crooks operate with impunity." And unfortunately, in such an environment and society, corruption seeps down everywhere in the business world.

The Beis Din consists of very qualified and well-respected choshove dayanim, and as you wrote: "The Kashrus department has always impressed observers from outside hechsherim." -- That particularly pertains to the shechita under the Beis Din - which I agree, it is the best operation in the world.  However, they have issues to fix -- and in South Africa, it's a challenge, and I hope they will be able to fix everything without getting Zumafied.

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1179 on: March 09, 2018, 11:15:00 AM »
It could be that only the mashgiach had the keys to fridge and freezer, but the question is was it ever left opened? Was the mashgiach always attentive, pro-active, and on-premises (mashgiach temidi) - or was he also running errands and making deliveries during the day?
I don't believe a mashgiach is allowed to make deliveries. S/he has to remain on premises the entire time the kitchen is open. They are, of course, left open the entire time. I'm fairly certain the treif chickens were never brought into a fridge or freezer, they were brought in straight to the prep area.
Now as far as the forensics, they should be able to tell, i.e. kosher meat cuts come from forequarter cuts, treif comes from hindquarter cuts. One can easily differentiate as long big cuts can only come from the treif hindquarters. One can tell shechita slaughtered birds apart, as they have a different cut at the neck flap, plus the wing tip is cut off. The skin appearance and texture is different because of the salting, and the kosher de-feathering process is different, as kosher chickens cannot be soaked in hot water to open up the pores.
That's exactly how this was uncovered.

I meant to say that South Africa is a corrupt country, where corruption is rampant and part of everyday life, starting from high up, in every organisation in the government. See a list: http://www.reddit.com/r/southafrica/comments/7hqia1/quick_corruption_overview    Economist described SA: "Contracts are awarded through bribes and connections; ruling-party members murder each other over lucrative government jobs; crooks operate with impunity." And unfortunately, in such an environment and society, corruption seeps down everywhere in the business world.
That's fair.

The Beis Din consists of very qualified and well-respected choshove dayanim, and as you wrote: "The Kashrus department has always impressed observers from outside hechsherim." -- That particularly pertains to the shechita under the Beis Din - which I agree, it is the best operation in the world.  However, they have issues to fix -- and in South Africa, it's a challenge, and I hope they will be able to fix everything without getting Zumafied.
Agree 100%