Five Malawian nationals (three men and two women, aged 18-39) were arrested after Cape Town safety officials discovered an illegal liquor manufacturing operation in Durbanville following a community tip-off.

What was found?

Metro Police Neighbourhood Safety Officers (NSOs) found over 2,000 litres of homemade gin in 11 large drums. They also found distillation equipment and empty bottles from legitimate alcohol brands allegedly being used for counterfeit packaging.

The charges

Illegal alcohol manufacturing contravenes the Counterfeit Goods Act in South Africa. The suspects are also being charged with possession of presumed stolen property. A Chinese national (the homeowner) was also reportedly arrested.

The suspects appeared in Bellville Magistrate’s Court yesterday, on Wednesday 7th January, although no official report exists as yet on the deliberations in the court.

City of Cape Town Safety and Security officials have warned that counterfeit alcohol can contain toxic substances causing serious health issues or death. They appealed to the general public to report any suspicious activity as was the case here, especially if it would help preserve public health.

The case highlights the importance of community reporting in stopping illegal operations, given the volume seized and the clear public health risk, and authorities are right to emphasize the health dangers of unregulated alcohol production.

Last year in October, Police in Faure, Stellenbosch, also arrested five Malawian Nationals and a Chinese National over similar criminal activity.