A 35-year-old South African citizen originally from Portugal has been arrested months after police uncovered an alleged illegal alcohol manufacturing operation in Ogies.

Anthony De Canha Franca, the registered lessee of the property where the operation was allegedly being conducted, was arrested on November 11 after investigators linked him to the premises through evidence gathered during an ongoing Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) investigation.

The arrest stems from a raid conducted at Kendal Plot 11 in Ogies on June 27, during which police and members of the Middelburg Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit uncovered what authorities described as an illegal alcohol manufacturing facility.

During the operation, law enforcement officials seized four 1 000-litre drums containing suspected unlabelled alcohol, as well as brewing equipment, chemicals and packaging materials valued at an estimated R600 000. Six suspects were arrested and charged with contraventions of the Customs and Excise Act and the Immigration Act.

According to the Hawks, although initial reports indicated seven people had been arrested, Franca was not found on the scene during the raid. Further investigations later revealed he was the registered lessee of the property where the alleged illicit operation was being run.

Investigators continued pursuing leads over the following months before tracing and arresting him on Wednesday.

Franca appeared in Ogies Magistrate’s Court and was granted bail of R3 000. He is expected to reappear alongside his six co-accused on November 27.

Three of the accused – Jostino Kumbani (25), Heno Kumbani (19) and Nelson Makwakwa (22), all Mozambican nationals – remain in custody. The remaining accused – Destin Dumuza (22), a Malawian national; Cedric Helengwa (31), a Zimbabwean national; and Cedric Helengwa (22), a Malawian national – were each granted bail of R3 000.

Mpumalanga Hawks acting provincial head Brigadier Bruce Davenport commended investigators for their persistence in ensuring that all those believed to be involved in the operation have now been brought before the court.

READ MORE: SAPS shuts down illegal alcohol operation in Ogies

“These arrests demonstrate the determination of law enforcement agencies to dismantle illicit manufacturing networks that place the health and safety of communities at risk while simultaneously undermining the country’s economic and regulatory systems,” Davenport said.

He added that illegal alcohol was not a victimless crime, warning that consumers were often unaware of potentially harmful substances contained in illicit products.

“We commend the investigators whose persistence ensured that all individuals believed to be involved in this operation are now before the court. The Hawks remain resolute in pursuing every lead to ensure accountability and to disrupt criminal activities that threaten public safety,” he said.

The Hawks warned that illegally manufactured alcohol often bypasses quality-control measures and regulatory requirements, and may contain dangerous substances capable of causing severe illness, organ damage, blindness and death.

Members of the public are encouraged to report suspicious activities involving the production, storage or sale of alcohol from unlicensed premises on the Crime Stop hotline on 08600 10111 or at their nearest police station.

#sapsMP [SEVEN UNDOCUMENTED FOREIGN NATIONALS ARRESTED IN OGIES FOR MANUFACTURING ILLICIT ALCOHOL] The police in Mpumalanga have arrested 7 undocumented foreign nationals following the discovery of an illegal alcohol manufacturing operation at a building in Ogies on Saturday, 27/06. Members of the SAPS in Ogies were alerted about suspicious activities taking place at one of the plots in Ogies. The police responded swiftly. Upon arrival, they found a large quantity of unlabelled alcohol, brewing equipment, chemicals, and packaging material. The estimated street value of the items and illicit alcohol found is still being determined. The seven suspects who were found at the premises were arrested and charged with contravention of the Liquor Act. Further investigation revealed that all the suspects are undocumented foreign nationals. A charge of contravention of the Immigration Act was added. The search for the owner of the property is underway. The suspects are expected to appear before the Ogies Magistrate’s Court in due course. #StopIllicitTrade ME https://t.co/8n4tEXuRsd

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) June 27, 2026

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