Four suspects have been arrested after police uncovered a suspected illegal liquor manufacturing plant on a farm in the Rietfontein area of Stilfontein, North West, where illicit liquor valued at an estimated R1.4 million was seized.
The arrests followed a raid by members of the South African Police Service’s Public Order Policing Unit on Thursday evening, October 15, after police received information about the premises.
Police approached the farm at about 10pm, when several suspects allegedly fled in different directions. Police managed to apprehend four suspects, aged between 28 and 54.
According to police spokesperson Colonel Adéle Myburgh, three of the suspects are believed to be undocumented foreign nationals from Malawi, while the fourth is a South African citizen who is allegedly the owner of the business.
"A search of the premises led to the discovery of what is suspected to be an illegal liquor manufacturing plant. The value of the illicit liquor is estimated at R1.4 million," she said.
Myburgh said police confiscated raw materials allegedly used to produce liquor, including flavourants, colourants, pots and flow bins. Several storage tanks were also found on the property.
"The contents of the tanks will undergo testing, as they are suspected to contain ethanol," she added.
Meanwhile, the suspects are expected to appear before the Stilfontein Magistrates’ Court on Monday, October 19, where they are expected to face charges relating to alleged contraventions of liquor, revenue and immigration legislation.
North West Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Arthur Peter Adams said police would continue targeting criminal syndicates involved in the illicit liquor trade.
Adams said these syndicates exploited tax differentials and posed significant risks to consumers through the production and distribution of illicit liquor.
He welcomed the outcome of the operation, saying such enforcement efforts formed part of broader government initiatives to combat illicit economic activities and strengthen compliance in key sectors.
Adams also thanked North West Premier Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi, MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management Virginia Tsotso Tlhapi, and MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs Oageng Molapisi for demonstrating their support by visiting the crime scene.
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