Nokubonga Ndlovu|Published
Western Cape police have issued a stern warning to the public against purchasing medication from street vendors following the arrest of a 38-year-old suspect found selling medication out of boxes at Nyanga Junction Transportation Hub.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel FC van Wyk said: “Members of Operation Prosper were conducting foot patrols at the Nyanga Junction Transportation Hub at approximately 1pm on Monday, 12 October 2026, when they intercepted the man selling various medicines directly out of boxes.”
Upon inspection, officers discovered that several of the products were past their expiry date.
“During initial questioning, the suspect was unable to account for how or where he obtained the stock,” said van Wyk.
He was taken into custody and is expected to appear in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court on charges of contravening the Medicines Act once formally charged.
In the wake of the arrest, the South African Police Service (SAPS) urged community members to refrain from purchasing health products from unregistered individuals or informal setups.
Police stressed that all medication should be acquired exclusively from authorised pharmacies and licensed healthcare suppliers operating within controlled environments, warning that consuming expired or unregulated pharmaceuticals carries severe health risks and can be fatal.
Van Wyk urged anyone with information regarding the illegal sale or distribution of medication to report it.
Tip-offs can be submitted anonymously via the Crime Stop hotline at 08600 10111 or through the MySAPS mobile application.