An illicit liquor manufacturing operation was foiled by the KuGompo City Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation (SCCI) in collaboration with the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) and Stutterheim SAPS Crime Prevention at Stutterheim on 22 April.
According to Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, Simphiwe Jaca (24), Sanelisiwe Gaza (22), Luxolo Hlamvana (36), Aphiwe Gigaba (24), Zwe Ntsawulwayo (34), Mxolisi Nqwenya (36) and Smagaliso Mdlovu (29) appeared before Stutterheim Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 24 April 2026, facing charges of contravening the Liquor Act.
“Their court appearance follows an intelligence-driven operation conducted on 22 April 2026, where law enforcement officials acted on credible information regarding the illegal production of liquor at a residential property situated at Riverside Road in Stutterheim,” he said. “Upon execution of the operation, police uncovered a fully functional clandestine liquor laboratory.”
He added that the premises were found to be utilised for the unlawful manufacturing and bottling of counterfeit alcoholic beverages, “including brands resembling commercially distributed products such as Gordon’s Gin and Old Buck Dry Gin.”
Mhlakuvana stated that the operation yielded significant confiscations, “including hundreds of empty bottles, counterfeit labels, original bottle caps, and various implements used in the production process.”
He added that further seizures included approximately 514 bottles of suspected counterfeit Gordon’s Gin, 16 bottles of Old Buck ready for distribution, an estimated 500 litres of prepared mixture, and 200 litres of ethanol believed to be used in the manufacturing process.
“A Nissan bakkie, which was suspected to have been used in the transportation and distribution of the illicit products, was also confiscated,” Mhlakuvana said. “The estimated value of the seized items was approximately R350,000.”
The accused appeared in court on Friday, 24 April 2026, where the matter was remanded to 4 May 2026 for a formal bail application, and they remain in custody.
