Another illegal liquor manufacturing plant has been discovered, this time in Durbanville.
The discovery comes amid a tip-off from the community to the City of Cape Town’s Public Emergency Call Centre (PECC), which reported suspicious activity around the property in question.
Five Malawian Nationals have been arrested by Metro Police Neighbourhood Safety Officers (NSOs) following the discovery of the illegal liquor plant on Monday, 5 January 2026.
The City of Cape Town’s Safety and Security teams also confiscated over 2,000 litres of homemade gin during the search.
On their arrival, officers were granted permission to enter the property. Once inside, they discovered 11 large drums filled with the suspected gin as well as a machine used to distil alcohol.
They also discovered that the suspects had been gathering bottles of two popular alcohol brands and were packaging their homemade liquor in these brand-name bottles.
Officers arrested three males and two females aged between 18 and 39 on charges of illegal manufacturing of alcohol, contravening the Counterfeit Goods Act and possession of presumed stolen property.
The scene was handed over to Durbanville SAPS. The homeowner, a Chinese national, has also subsequently been arrested.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 7 January 2025.
In addition, the suspected counterfeit liquor will be sent for forensic analysis.
The Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, has cautioned residents against buying counterfeit alcohol, which often contains toxic substances which can lead to severe health issues and even death.
“I applaud the NSOs for their swift action in this regard. The scene was handed over to Durbanville SAPS for further investigations.”
In December 2025, an illegal booze factory was busted in Khayelitsha, while police also uncovered similar operations in September and October, in Klapmuts and Stellenbosch, respectively.
Smith has called on the public to report all suspicious activity by calling the PECC on 021 480 7700 or 107 from a landline.
