A shebeen operating from the brothel was closed down under loud protest from the patrons and women occupying the house, during an operation by the Middelburg Police’s Crime Prevention Unit on Friday.

Police acted on information that liquor were being sold illegally from the house. Judging by appearances, a small outbuilding next to the main house were being used as a sort of reception area to the brothel.

Alcohol were being sold from behind a barred-off area whilst there were couches and a coffee table where patrons could relax.

The rooms were also swept for drugs. Because there were no female officers during the operation, none of the women living in the house could be physically searched.

A woman was charged with selling liquor without a licence. Rumor has it that the seized liquor will be handed back to the woman once she has paid a R1 500 fine. An eyewitness who lives close to the house said that more liquor were delivered to the house over the weekend.

Neither the Middelburg police nor the Provincial Office were available for comment about the matter. The name of the accused were not known at the time of going to press.