Speaking
during
a
media
briefing,
provincial
police
spokesperson
Inspector
Nomalanga
Msebele
said
the
operation
followed
a
tip-off
from
members
of
the
public.
“We
received
a
tip-off
that
there
was
a
premises
in
town
producing
illicit
alcohol.
We
went
there
and
recovered
three
full
200-litre
drums
containing
ethanol,”
said
Insp
Msebele.
Police
also
discovered
assorted
alcoholic
products
suspected
to
be
illicit
brews
commonly
known
as
“njengu”
and
other
unregulated
brands.
“We
recovered
various
assortments
of
alcohol
which
we
suspect
to
be
njengu
and
other
illicit
products.
When
we
asked
for
licences
authorising
production
and
distribution,
none
were
produced,”
she
said.
Authorities
confiscated
distillers
and
other
equipment
found
at
the
premises
and
impounded
two
vehicles
linked
to
the
operation.
The
raid
comes
amid
concerns
over
the
proliferation
of
counterfeit
alcoholic
beverages.
Among
the
confiscated
products
were
suspected
“fake”
Highlanders
African
Gin,
a
beverage
which
was
recently
launched
to
celebrate
the
club’s
100
years
of
existence.
Inspector
Msebele
warned
that
the
production,
distribution
and
sale
of
illicit
alcohol
are
prohibited
under
existing
laws
and
urged
members
of
the
public
to
report
suspicious
activities.
“These
illicit
brews
are
often
produced
in
backyards.
The
Harmful
Liquids
Act
also
makes
it
an
offence
for
property
owners
to
allow
their
premises
to
be
used
for
such
activities,”
she
said.
She
urged
consumers
to
purchase
alcohol
only
from
licensed
suppliers
and
distributors.
“Do
not
buy
from
unlicensed
producers
or
distributors.
Genuine
operators
should
be
able
to
produce
the
necessary
licences,”
said
Insp
Msebele.
The
latest
bust
forms
part
of
an
ongoing
police
crackdown
on
drugs
and
substance
abuse.
Last
week,
police
arrested
five
suspects
for
allegedly
transporting
drugs
along
Solusi
Road.
“The
fight
against
drugs
and
substance
abuse
is
ongoing
and
we
are
leaving
no
stone
unturned.
We
call
on
communities
and
stakeholders
to
join
us
in
combating
this
menace
that
is
destroying
lives
and
communities,”
she
said.
Post
published
in:
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