KFC controversially goes Halal in Swaziland

When Kentucky Fried Chicken officially announced that its meat was now halaal, there was a little agitation among some of its Christian customers

The dithering arose from the various misinterpretations on the true meaning of halaal, some saying the meat was now dedicated to the Islam faith. What further compounded the uncertainty was a Holy Bible quotation saying: "Thou shall not eat anything dedicated to idols."

Investigations by this newspaper have unearthed information which enthusiasts of the finger-licking-good meat can use to make informed decisions. "When something is halaal, according to the Islam faith, it is clean and ‘permissible’ to be consumed. Though the term is commonly used to refer to food, it can be applied to other things such as a woman," said the Imam of Ezulwini Islamic Centre.

Two years ago, the Swaziland Halaal Authority (SHA) launched a concern to KFC, that the Islam community wanted to buy the fried chicken but were unsure of its status regarding the halaal regulations. They then engaged KFC management in discussions over the issue.

KFC Franchise owner Mario Pimenta told the Times that the meat had always been halaal, though the Islam community did not know about this and last month they obtained a certificate declaring this. He said the chickens were slaughtered by Swazi Poultry Processors in Matsapha, who apply strict rules in processing meat according to the halaal regulations.

"KFC is just meat and has nothing to do with religion. We had concerns from the SHA that some Islam faith members were unsure of the status of our meat, so each time they came into KFC they had to go through the trouble of asking if the meat was halaal first before eventually buying it. "At KFC, we understand that our customers are international, so we had to do something to notify them that indeed we are halaal. We informed the SHA of our state and they were happy. If the government of Swaziland accepts the Islam faith, then it follows that our products have to also accommodate Muslims," he said.

Pimenta said he was Catholic himself, further explaining that the KFC was not about religion. "I do appreciate that there might be an issue between the Islam and Christians but this has nothing to do with KFC," he insisted. Pimenta says in South Africa, the KFC’s supplier is Rainbow Chickens, who also process according to the halaal standards.

A Muslim priest said the short prayer made when slaughtering the chicken is ‘In the name of Allah the Great’. Pastors, customers surprised by news

MBABANE – The news of KFC being officially halaal has been met with surprise by the Christian fraternity and cutomers. Pastor Zipho Mhlanga of the Latter Harvest Church in Manzini says in his personal view making the KFC halaal is tantamount to imposing the Islam faith on people.

"The worst thing is that the meat is eaten by all people, whether Christian or Muslim. Why is there a need to make it halaal. Our understanding is that they are selling to the market not just to the Muslims."

However, Apostle Mhlanga said there was a leaf to be taken from the issue. "Christians also have to establish their own businesses so they would not have to argue over such issues." Pastor Joseph Mudzingwa of the Seventh Day Adventist said as long as the individual Christian’s conscience was clean, they had to eat meat that has been proclaimed halaal. "Though we do have a scripture that talks about not eating food sacrificed to idols, Christians should check their conscience because nowadays most meat has been proclaimed halaal. When one walks into a supermarket he finds that most of the meat on offer is halaal. This is why I say Christians should not take the issue lightly," he said.

Most of the customers found munching at the Swazi Plaza branch of the KFC said they were Christians but not aware that KFC was halaal. They also pleaded ignorance on the meaning of the meat being halaal.

"Perhaps one has to investigate the meaning of halaal because we just love the KFC and can’t stop eating it," said Zanele Manyatsi who had bought the popular Streetwise Two. One of those was socialite Themba Xaba who was found relaxing with his two offspring. Over 20 000 chickens slaughtered a day

MATSAPHA - Our investigations led to Swaziland Poultry Processors, where over 20 000 chickens are slaughtered daily. SPP General Manager Jeremy Boyd said two experts from the Islam Institute of Swaziland were asked to ensure that the chickens were slaughtered according to halaal specifics. The two pray an Islam prayer before ‘peacefully’ ending the life of any chicken.

"At Swazi Poultry all our chicken is halaal in that we slaughter according to the Islam regulations. The people who slaughter say a short prayer and then do the work. Swazi Poultry has nothing to do with pork, alcohol, or other things that are said to be unholy (haram) according to the Islam faith," he said. This has got a kfc employee dismissed

MBABANE – A female employee at KFC has been fired from work for allegedly having a double meal instead of one. According to the company’s policy employees at KFC are only allowed to have one meal per day.

In the charge sheet it is stated that Bonisile Nkomo was charged with having a double meal in that upon February 16 she wrongfully and intentionally and without authority had two meals when she was supposed to have one much against the company policy and procedure. During the hearing the company paraded a number of witnesses who stated that they saw the pieces of chicken wrapped in a tortilla bag. One of the witnesses further told the disciplinary hearing headed by Stuky Motsa that she saw Nkomo packing the two pieces in a plastic bag and she became suspicious because she had seen the accused (Nkomo) having her daily meal.

During the hearing the accused tendered a plea of not guilty saying she does not know what to say as evidence proves that there was a crime committed. "But I can say that testifying against me was not understandable as my witness was turned into the company witness and that disturbed me. Since you said you found me guilty I would like the company to look into it and may I be given a chance to prove that I don’t steal as I was only seen," stated the accused

In her judgement Motsa stated that the issue of shortages is prevalent in the organisation and innocent people have to shoulder the blame or pay for the crimes they did not commit. "Such conduct must be condoned as the company has lost thousands of Emalangeni because of the shortages. I therefore recommend dismissal," reads part of the judgement.

The management of KFC have since written a letter to Nkomo confirming that she has been dismissed from work for the said offence. In the letter signed by the company’s Human Resources Manager T. Loubser and Area Manager Emmanuel DuPont it is stated that after due consideration the company has taken a decision to fire her. "In considering what action to take, I have considered all evidence led, mitigating and aggravating circumstances. After due consideration, our decision is dismissal. Should you wish to appeal against the decision, please do so in writing within seven days of receiving this letter," reads part of the letter of dismissal. Nkomo has since reported the matter to the Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration Commission (CMAC).