‘I did NOT plant it’ says woman who filmed Woolworths rat video – WATCH

The woman who filmed a rat feasting on free-range chicken in a Woolworths store fridge has insisted that she did not plant it there.

In a TikTok video that has since gone viral, Tebo Shale captured a rodent lurking in the meat section of the  Gardens Shopping Centre food store in Cape Town.

Since the video made headlines, Shale has been accused of trying to frame Woolworths, an allegation she vehemently denies.

ALSO READ: ‘Let our customers down’: Woolworths responds to rat video [watch]

WHEN AND WHERE DID RAT INCIDENT HAPPEN?

In a TikTok video update, Tebo of Cape Town, revealed the incident occurred last week Thursday.

The law graduate posted the video two days later on her TikTok account.

The disturbing clip found its way onto other social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram.

Naturally, consumers were disgusted.

Take a look at the video below…

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@tebo.s Guyssssss??? mara why ?????#woolworthssa #fypシ #fyp #capetown ♬ Le Festin (From “Ratatouille”) – Movie Sounds Unlimited

According to the young woman, she waited to see if Woolworths would issue a statement before posting it on social media.

She said of her decision to post it: “I wanted people around me in Cape Town to know that they should not be going to Gardens Centre. They have a rat problem… Wait until they issue a public statement saying it is clean”.

She added: “I took the video because I thought that nobody would believe me. Because this is Woolworths. I don’t think they were going to shut it down without that video”.

Tebo claims that she alerted a Woolworths employee of the rat in the chicken, of whom she claims simply threw the pack away.

She continued: “What he doesn’t realise is that the rat ran out and ran back into all the other chickens”.

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@tebo.s Jho guys! A lot has happened since that post so heres an update ! #capetown #woolworthssa #fypシ #fyp ♬ original sound – TeboShale

‘I DIDNT PLANT IT’

On social media, South Africans had mixed responses to the video.

While many were disturbed, others were in disbelief. Some even claimed that Tebo had “planted” the rat in the video.

Speaking to The South African, Tebo insisted she did no such thing.

She said: “Everyone is going to have various opinions, which is ok. You’re entitled to your views”.

When asked if she would ever shop again at Woolworths, she added: “I’m traumatised. Unfortunately, I don’t see myself buying from there anymore.

In her TikTok update, Tebo also emphasised that she had not received anything from Woolworths.

She added: “There were no vouchers or any underhanded agreement between Woolies and me”.

WOOLWORTHS RESPONDS: ‘WE LET OUR CUSTOMERS DOWN’

In a statement issued to The South African, Woolworths profusely apologised to their shoppers.

It said of their actions: “The store immediately underwent a forensic deep clean and was closed early to allow for a thorough investigation.

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“With the help of an independent auditor and our pest control partner, various immediate actions were taken. These include a deep cleaning of the affected areas and enhancements to the perimeter of the store. We are also working closely with centre management and our landlord”.

Woolworths conceded that the high-density areas like the CBD were undoubtedly a natural attraction to pests.

It added: “We remain committed to ensuring our policies are of the highest standard. We have confidence in the measures now in place which we will apply nationally.

“Woolies is deeply committed to the highest standards of hygiene and food safety across our entire operation. Our values underpin our commitment to the well-being of our customers and people.

“We recognise that we have let our customers down on this occasion and would like to express our sincere apology. We are taking every measure to ensure this never happens again.