Crime

Nigel SAPS joins major alcohol destruction operation in Alberton

Confiscated alcohol from illegal shebeens was poured away as part of a united push to curb illicit trading.

A massive alcohol destruction operation was undertaken at Alberton SAPS on March 25.

Large quantities of alcohol confiscated from shebeens and illegal liquor outlets in several Ekurhuleni policing precincts were destroyed.

Officers from Alberton and Kempton Park SAPS assisting each other during a destruction operation in Alberton. Photo: Aphiwe Nkutha

Police stations involved in the operation were Tsakane SAPS, Nigel SAPS, Alberton SAPS, Thokoza SAPS, Elsberg SAPS, Primrose SAPS, Brackendowns SAPS, Kempton Park SAPS, Norkem Park SAPS, Tembisa SAPS, Tembisa South SAPS, Vosloorus SAPS, Crystal Park SAPS, Daveyton SAPS, and others from Ekurhuleni.

An officer from Tembisa South SAPS offloads crates filled with liquor during the operation in Alberton. Photo: Sylvester Raraza

They gathered at Alberton SAPS to destroy the confiscated alcohol.

Officers also disposed of Umqombothi during the operation. Photo: Sylvester Raraza

Leading the destruction was Captain Hewitt from Ekurhuleni District SAPS, who is also the coordinator of Firearms, Liquor, and Second-hand goods (FLASH).

FLASH coordinator Captain Hewitt (right) and a colleague destroying illegal liquor. Photo: Sylvester Raraza

Commenting on the operation, Hewitt said: “We have more than 17 police stations that have gathered here at Alberton SAPS with alcohol seized from various illegal liquor outlets in Alberton and other areas in the Ekurhuleni metro. So we are destroying the alcohol as a combined district operation.”

Captain Gololo from Alberton SAPS was among those destroying illegal alcohol in Alberton. Photo: Sylvester Raraza

Police vans and mini trucks drove into the police station with hundreds of crates of confiscated alcohol.

An officer pours beer into a catch drainage basin during a destruction operation in Alberton. Photo: Aphiwe Nkutha

Officers then offloaded the liquor from the vehicles, opened the bottles and canned alcohol, and poured it into the station’s many catch drainage basins.

More than two dozen crates offloaded for destruction in Alberton. Photo: Aphiwe Nkutha

The liquor included beers, ciders, spirits, and bottled Umqombothi, a traditional, thick, and sour South African beer made from maize meal, crushed sorghum malt, yeast, and water.

The destruction operation saw hundreds of crates of liquor being offloaded from SAPS vehicles. Photo: Aphiwe Nkutha
Ciders were among liquor up for destruction in Alberton. Photo: Aphiwe Nkutha

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Sylvester Raraza

Journalist currently reporting for Caxton Publishers’ Johannesburg South branch, with a keen interest in stories that matter to our community: local sports, schools, business, service delivery issues, and entertainment news that are sourced within communities our publications serve in.

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