Illegal alcohol manufacturing plant found in Khayelitsha
Tools to make booze, including drums of acid.
Image: SAPS
Counterfeit liquors were among the items seized when Lingelethu West police uncovered a "fake alcohol" manufacturing plant in Khayelitsha worth thousands of rands.
Police confirmed a suspect in his 40s was arrested.
Lingelethu West police spokesperson, Sergeant Nondumiso Nyalambisa, said members of the Crime Prevention Unit were conducting an operation in the area on May 6 when they acted on a tip-off.
Following up on the information, officers searched a house in Ilitha Park, where they discovered boxes containing the fake alcohol.
“The members found four boxes containing Old Buck Gin and Streton in the house, and the occupant could not account for the liquor found there.
"Police further searched other flats on the property and uncovered an illegal alcohol manufacturing plant, manufacturing equipment, assorted alcohol branding stickers, and unknown liquids,” she said.
Nyalambisa said the suspect faces charges related to the illegal manufacturing and distribution of liquor.
“He will appear in the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court once the police have completed processing the docket,” she said.
Alcohol-filled drums were found.
Image: SAPS
The discovery shocked Mzanywa Ndibongo, chairperson of the Khayelitsha Health Forum, who urged residents to remain vigilant.
“We condemn this in the strongest possible terms. We always believed Ilitha Park was a progressive area, but now this incident has occurred. These activities are often carried out by criminals from outside the community. We call on residents to stay alert to such criminality,” he said.
Ndibongo added that fake alcohol poses a serious health risk, while alcohol abuse in general also contributes significantly to crime.
“During the Covid-19 lockdown, there was less crime because alcohol sales were restricted. Once alcohol returned, communities again faced the burden of crime,” he said.
He promised to engage community structures across Khayelitsha to stand united against criminal activities such as illegal alcohol manufacturing.
Residents of Ilitha Park, who asked not to be named, claimed the house had a long history of selling counterfeit alcohol.
One resident admitted he had previously bought liquor from the suspect because it was cheaper.
“The guy sold alcohol cheaply, and that was the only way we could afford booze. At first, I didn’t know it was fake until someone showed me the difference between genuine and counterfeit bottles. That’s when I realised the alcohol was fake,” he said.
Police seized cases of illegal booze in Khayelitsha.
Image: SAPS
When asked whether he understood the possible health dangers linked to counterfeit alcohol, the resident admitted he had never considered the consequences.
“All I cared about was that it was cheap. But I suppose it can damage the body just like genuine alcohol does. I’ve now decided I will never buy fake alcohol again,” he said.
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