Authorities in the Eastern Cape are intensifying efforts to curb the illegal sale and production of alcohol, with regular inspections taking place across the Buffalo City Metro.
Officials conduct weekly raids to ensure that spaza shop owners comply with health and safety regulations. These inspections focus not only on expired food items or the illegal sale of pharmaceuticals and pesticides, but also on the unlawful distribution and manufacturing of alcohol.
Authorities have raised concerns that some shops, and even private homes, are being used as illegal distilleries to produce counterfeit liquor.
Eastern Cape Hawks spokesperson Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana said community members and trademark representatives have played a key role in helping law enforcement identify and apprehend suspects involved in these activities.
“They are assisting us a lot in giving out the information and in making sure that those labels that are in the gin or liquor can be identified so that they can be separated from the legitimate liquor,” Mhlakuvana said.
Despite these efforts, authorities say their work is often undermined by residents who tip off suspects before raids take place. In some cases, businesses reportedly shut their doors shortly before officials arrive to conduct inspections.
Buffalo City Municipality official Ncumisa Qola has condemned these practices, echoing the concerns raised by law enforcement authorities about the dangers and illegality of producing counterfeit alcohol.
