Two men were arrested in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, on Wednesday afternoon, 3 December, after police intercepted a car carrying suspected counterfeit alcohol during a roadblock operation. The arrests are part of a broader initiative aimed at enhancing safety during the festive season in the Lingelethu West policing precinct.
Officers were manning a roadblock on Spine Road when they stopped a silver Hyundai i20. Upon searching the vehicle, they discovered four boxes of Old Buck Gin. The two occupants, aged 26 and 39, could not provide a clear explanation for the alcohol’s origin. This led to further investigation by the police.
The investigation took them to a house in Lansdowne, where they made a shocking discovery—an illegal alcohol manufacturing plant. Inside the premises, police seized a variety of alcohol production equipment, including containers with unknown liquids believed to be used in the making of counterfeit alcohol. They also found an assortment of alcohol branding stickers and other materials used to package the illicit liquor. The operation was immediately shut down, and the premises were sealed off.
The two men were arrested and will face charges related to the illegal manufacturing and distribution of alcohol. They are expected to appear in Khayelitsha Magistrates Court once the charges have been filed.
This latest bust highlights the growing threat of fake and illegal alcohol in the Western Cape. Just three months earlier, in September, seven Somali nationals were arrested after police uncovered another fong kong booze factory in Klapmuts, just outside Cape Town. Members of the Maitland Flying Squad acted on a tip-off, raiding premises along the R44. During the operation, officers found alcohol manufacturing equipment, including containers of ethanol, large 1000-litre white containers, empty bottles, and machines used in the production process. The suspects in that case were charged under the Liquor Act.
The illegal alcohol trade continues to grow, with increasing concerns about public health. One Cape Town man, who spoke to Daily Sun, revealed that he stopped drinking after suffering violent headaches from alcohol he purchased at a local tavern, which he believes was counterfeit. Local residents and health officials have raised alarms, stating that the widespread sale of fake alcohol is making people seriously ill.
The Drinks Federation of South Africa has also expressed concern over the rapid rise of the illegal alcohol trade. Research shows that illicit alcohol volumes have surged sharply since 2017, with spirits now making up the largest portion of the trade. The Federation has called for greater action to curb the rise in fake booze, citing its impact on public health.
Authorities have pledged to continue their crackdown on counterfeit alcohol as festive season operations intensify across the Western Cape.
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