Fighting sale of illicit alcohol
Subsequent to the tipoff that the illicit trade of alcohol is thriving in East End Business Park- Bloemfontein, DESTEA Consumer Protection unit, together with SAPS Crime Intelligence, and SARS, swiftly responded by raiding the area today.
The operation task team found male suspect of Chinese origin in possession of boxes of alcohol whose labels and bottle caps were tempered with. This is in contravention of the Consumer Protection Act.
The business address of the suspect reflects as Botshabelo, but the business operates in Bloemfontein. Furthermore, the suspect found not to have working permit and his Visa had expired.
The joint task team confiscated boxes of illicit alcohol and the suspect was charged with contravention of the Consumer Protection Act, number 68 of 2008, Counterfeit Goods Act, number 37 of 1997, as well as non-compliance with the Business Act 71 of 1991.
In terms of counterfeit products contravention, the fine may be up to maximum amount of R1 million or imprisonment.
DESTEA MEC Thabo Meeko commended the team for this great success and sent stem warnings to illicit alcohol traders.
MEC indicated his deep concern towards safety risks associated with the consumption of illicit alcohol.
"Clearly, if we bring all expertise to work together as a collective, we can achieve more. This is a promising journey proving that we can reclaim our economy, reconstruct, and restore it to the People of the Free State," said MEC Meeko.
MEC committed that DESTEA will leave no stone unturned to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
He further urged members of the public across the province to report any illegal/illicit alcohol trade to the nearest police station OR send a WhatsApp message to DESTEA Customer Care Unit on: 0829475394
Facebook page: official destea and/or Twitter: @FSDestea.
Enquiries:
Mojalefa Mphapang
Cell: 072 274 1734
E-mail: Mphapangm@destea.gov.za
