02-07-2025
Liquor Association calls for crackdown on illicit alcohol sales
POLICE discovered equipment used in the manufacturing of illicit alcohol at a house where a 31-year-old man was arrested.
Image: Supplied
The National Liquor Traders Association (NLT) has intensified its stance against the growing problem of illicit alcohol sales, urging liquor traders to prioritise consumer safety and health. This warning follows the arrest of a 31-year-old man in Mariannhill, west of Durban, who was found in possession of a substantial amount of illicit alcohol, primarily posing as a popular vodka brand.
Recent figures from the Drinks Federation of South Africa (DF-SA) highlight a concerning trend, revealing that around 18% of alcohol sold in South Africa is illegal. In the past year alone, an alarming volume of 773,000 hectolitres of illicit alcohol was identified, posing serious risks to public health.
NLT spokesperson Lucky Ntimane expressed the urgency of collaborative efforts among liquor traders, communities, and law enforcement agencies to combat this issue. He stressed that the estimated value of illicit alcohol seized during the recent operation—approximately R250,000—underscores the critical need for vigilance and accountability within the industry.
THE illicit alcohol in branded vodka bottles valued at around R250 000 that was found at a property in Mariannhill, west of Durban last week.
Image: Supplied
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"This should serve as a wake-up call," Ntimane remarked. "If we work together, we can effectively eliminate the criminals within our ranks and protect our businesses while ensuring that only authentic, safe products reach consumers."
His call to action compels liquor traders to stand at the forefront of safeguarding their businesses against illegal practices.
Brigadier Jay Naicker of the KwaZulu-Natal SAPS shared details about the operation that led to the arrest. Officers from the Provincial Organised Crime Unit (Narcotics), along with the Provincial Drug and Firearm Unit and the Provincial Counterfeit Goods Unit, acted on intelligence regarding the manufacturing and sale of illicit alcohol.
The search of the premises resulted in the arrest of the suspect, who subsequently appeared at the Pinetown Magistrate Court, where his case was remanded pending the completion of the investigation.
The issue of illicit alcohol has dominated social media discourse among those who drink with some revealing their suspicion that they've once consumed such without realising it. Some of the consumers expressed that the booze they suspected to be illicit gave them an usually long-lasting and punishing hangover.
SUNDAY TRIBUNE
