Authorities have uncovered a large-scale fake alcohol manufacturing operation in Westonaria, leading to the arrest of nine individuals, including two Taiwanese nationals.
Westonaria fake liquor lab take-down
The illicit operation, which reportedly produced counterfeit whiskey and other alcoholic beverages worth an estimated R1 million, was raided following a tip-off from exploited workers.
On Thursday morning, police, acting on intelligence, stormed a warehouse in Westonaria, where they discovered a clandestine factory producing and packaging fake alcohol.
Two Taiwanese nationals, believed to be the masterminds behind the operation, had allegedly employed undocumented foreign workers from Malawi and Mozambique under harsh conditions.
Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni confirmed the arrests and outlined the charges against the suspects.
“One of the charges will be illegal manufacturing of whiskies and employing illegal immigrants,” he stated.
Investigators seized large quantities of counterfeit whiskey, labels mimicking popular brands, industrial-grade ethanol, and mixing equipment.
Authorities suspect the operation had been active for months, supplying unregulated alcohol to various outlets.
The dangers of consuming fake alcohol
Counterfeit liquor is not only an economic crime but a serious public health hazard.
Fake alcohol often contains harmful substances such as methanol, a toxic alcohol used in industrial solvents and antifreeze. Consumption can lead to severe health complications, including blindness, organ failure, and even death, according to a UK anti-liquor group, Drinkaware.
Unlike regulated alcoholic beverages, counterfeit liquor is produced without safety controls, making it impossible to determine its actual contents or potency.
This can lead to unintentional overdoses, poisoning, and long-term health damage.
Are Chinese nationals running illegal factories and exploiting workers?
This is not the first time Chinese nationals have been implicated in illegal manufacturing operations in South Africa.
In June 2024, a Chinese national was arrested in Eersteriver for operating an illegal liquor outlet stocked with counterfeit alcohol worth R24 million.
In another case, seven Chinese traffickers were convicted in a landmark forced labour case in Johannesburg. The traffickers had smuggled 91 Malawian nationals, including 37 children, into South Africa, forcing them to work under inhumane conditions at a factory.
Authorities believe illegal factories run by foreign nationals, particularly from China and Taiwan, are exploiting undocumented workers by offering low wages and harsh working conditions.
These operations not only violate labour laws but also contribute to the circulation of hazardous goods in the market.
The investigation into the Westonaria fake liquor factory is ongoing, and more arrests may follow as police crackdown on illicit trade and labour exploitation.
