PRETORIA – The fatal shooting outside earlier this month in front of the Little Britain Pub in Waterkloof Ridge that claimed the life of Baden Watson (54) has turned the spotlight onto organised motorcycle clubs in South Africa.

In the aftermath, social media users pointed to Facebook photos showing individuals connected to local clubs wearing clothing with Bandidos emblems. The Bandidos Motorcycle Club, also known as the Bandido Nation, is an international outlaw motorcycle club that law enforcement agencies in several countries have linked to organised crime.

Although Bandidos has a proven violent record worldwide, there has been no formal announcement that any South African club has patched over to become a local chapter for them.

South Africa is home to hundreds of social motorcycle clubs. Members form close bonds, with brotherhood and a shared love of long-distance riding at the core. These clubs gather socially, and organised crime is not part of the country’s traditional motorcycle club culture.

This is precisely what makes the potential infiltration by international criminal organisations so concerning.

A serious warning

According to media personality Willem Petzer, who has thoroughly researched the matter, the situation deserves serious attention.

“This is not just another shooting,” Petzer warns. “What we’re seeing here is that one of the world’s most violent international motorcycle gangs, the Bandidos, is establishing a chapter in Pretoria and actively recruiting members from local clubs.”

Petzer believes the presence of international “outlaw” motorcycle gangs poses serious dangers, especially given their known ties to organised crime.

According to Caryn Dolley of the Daily Maverick, police in Australia last month arrested additional suspects as part of an investigation into a group allegedly involved in drug trafficking.

Last year, the USA acted against Bandidos members allegedly involved in crimes ranging from murder and arson to witness intimidation.

An indictment in this case alleges “that the Bandidos is a self-proclaimed outlaw motorcycle organisation, with a membership of approximately 1 500 to 2 000 in the United States and another 1 000 to 1 500 members internationally, including in Mexico.”

Mexican cartels in South Africa

Law enforcement authorities have expressed growing concern about the presence of Mexican drug cartels in South Africa, such as the Sinaloa Cartel.

Petzer refers to various sources, including the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), indicating a worrying trend: Mexican drug cartels establishing operations in South Africa.

“Mexican cartels are shifting their operations here,” Petzer explains. “They’re expanding methamphetamine production and seeking partnerships with local criminal groups, through bribery and infiltration of local authorities.”

Mega drug labs discovered

According to Daily Maverick, authorities have raided at least five massive illegal drug manufacturing facilities over the past two years that mainly produced methamphetamine, arresting suspects including Mexican nationals.

Two Mexicans and three other foreign nationals were arrested on 20 August after police discovered a crystal methamphetamine laboratory on a farm near Musina in Limpopo.

The raid followed a two-month investigation. Drugs and equipment valued at an estimated R600 million were confiscated, along with an unknown amount of cash.

Several similar laboratories have been discovered on remote South African farms over the past two years, with Mexican nationals arrested in several cases.

An Africa-wide phenomenon

According to US drug enforcement officials at the US Africa Command (Africom), since 2023, 14 laboratories operated by Mexicans have been raided across the continent, including in Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria and South Africa.

Experts believe Mexican criminal cartels are increasingly using Africa, not just as a transit route for drugs, but also as a production base.

Police are investigating possible links between the 11 drug production facilities discovered so far, while arrests of Mexican suspects provide further evidence that cartels are increasingly active in South Africa.

Firoz Cachalia, the Acting Minister of Police, recently referred to the growing problem of mega drug factories established in this country by Mexican cartels. “Ultimately, we will not only prosecute small-scale dealers, but also those who enable and lead these organised crime networks.”

The Bandidos connection

Petzer warns that the establishment of groups like the Bandidos in South Africa could increase street violence and strengthen the country’s criminal capacity.

“They lend their expertise to local producers, exploit South Africa’s trade routes, especially the port of Durban, and use the country as a haven, beyond the reach of US intelligence.”

“If cartel members are present in this country, even at lower levels of the gang hierarchy, local criminal groups can be drawn into associated conflicts,” Petzer warned.

The potential infiltration of South Africa’s motorcycle club culture by international organised crime groups like the Bandidos, combined with the proven presence of Mexican drug cartels, paints a concerning picture.

While most local motorcycle clubs are social organisations with no criminal ties and make valuable contributions to their communities, concerns remain over whether South Africa can prevent international outlaw motorcycle gangs from gaining a foothold in the country.

The answer will determine not only the future of the local motorcycle community, but also the broader safety of South African communities.

READ MORE: Fatal shooting puts motorcycle clubs in spotlight