Illicit alcohol packaged in 100ml containers, including various branded alcohol labels were found.
Gauteng police have arrested two foreign nationals after they were found manufacturing illicit alcohol in a house in Soweto, south of Johannesburg.
The suspects were handcuffed at Dobsonville on Saturday, 17 January 2026.
Arrests
Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said the arrests were a result of intelligence information, which was operationalised by officers of the Johannesburg K9 unit.
“The team has confiscated the machinery used, illicit alcohol packaged in 100ml containers, including various branded alcohol labels and money believed to be the proceeds of crime.
“The two arrested foreign nationals are expected to appear before court on 19 January 2026 on a charge of illegal manufacturing of alcohol under the National Liquor Act 59 of 2003,” Nevhuhulwi said.
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Affecting economy
Nevhuhulwi added that Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni applauded the members for cracking down on illicit alcohol.
“It not only affects the economy of the country but also the health of our communities because substances used as ingredients may be harmful. He further urged alcohol consumers to buy alcohol from registered liquor outlets.”
Malawian nationals
Earlier this month, five Malawian Nationals were arrested following the discovery of an illegal liquor plant in Cape Town.
The foreign nationals were handcuffed by the City of Cape Town’s Metro Police Neighbourhood Safety Officers (NSOs) in Durbanville on Monday, 5 January 2026.
The City of Cape Town Safety and Security teams also confiscated more than 2 000 litres of homemade gin during the search.
Popular alcohol brands
Western Cape MEC for Safety and Security, JP Smith, said the discovery followed a community tip-off to the Public Emergency Call Centre (PECC) about suspicious activity at the property.
“The NSO officers responded and, on their arrival, were granted permission to enter the property. Once inside, they discovered 11 large drums filled with the gin as well as a machine seemingly being used to distil the alcohol.”
Smith said officers also discovered that the suspects had been gathering bottles of two popular alcohol brands and were packaging the homemade liquor, seemingly to be sold under these brand names.
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