Police have shut down yet another illicit liquor manufacturing facility in Cape Town. According to police spokesperson Thembakazi Mpendukana, five people were arrested in the operation on Wednesday, 01 July 2026.

Police have shut down yet another illicit liquor manufacturing facility in Cape Town

She says members of the Gugulethu Crime Prevention Unit were involved in an intelligence-driven operation when they found the illegal alcohol. Mpendukana says officers had received information about a suspected illegal operation where alcohol was being made. When members followed up on the tip-off and arrived at the mentioned residence, they found 4 men and a woman inside the residence.

A suspected illegal operation

She says a search was conducted. During the search of the house, officers discovered small containers, labels, sealed boxes containing liquor bottles and equipment used in the making and packaging of liquor. Mpendukana revealed that further operations at the scene led members to large containers with mixed chemicals. These chemicals are used in the production process of illegal alcohol.

A search was conducted

Five people were arrested in the house. They are between the ages of 19 and 50 years. Mpendukana says they will appear in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court once charged. They face a charge for manufacturing illicit liquor in contravention of Section 32(1) of the Western Cape Liquor Act 4 of 2008.