Illicit alcohol buying and selling is on the rise in South Africa and BusinessTech reported a warning to the general public on 29 October 2024, after the Drinks Federation of South Africa (DF-SA) requested shoppers to take further precautions this festive season to keep away from buying illicit alcohol.
The CEO of DF-SA, Angela Russell, revealed throughout an interview on the Kaya Biz podcast on 28 October 2024, the primary methods you possibly can recognise illicit alcohol. Illicit alcohol is merchandise that haven’t paid taxes and duties, and this unlawful commerce is at about 40% in Africa. In response to Tax Justice South Africa, it often accommodates “deadly ranges of alcohol and poisonous substances.”
HOW CAN CONSUMERS SPOT ILLICIT ALCOHOL?
A cautious inspection of alcoholic drinks may also help you not buy merchandise which might be unlawful with out realising it this festive season. Listed below are 3 ways Russell stated may also help you see them and cease illicit alcohol buying and selling:
Look/situation of the bottle or cap
Inconsistency within the look or form of the bottle of the product is among the issues to look out for. Additionally, there shouldn’t be any harm or dents, and the cap ought to make a cracking sound when opened.
Product labelling
One other factor to identify from the packaging is the standard of the printing on the label. Additionally, any errors in spelling and whether or not there’s even a barcode or label on the again.
High quality of the liquid
One other purple flag is the standard of the liquid within the bottle. The liquid shouldn’t seem diluted or hazy, and there shouldn’t be any particles floating round or uneven fill ranges.
FREQUENT REPORTS OF ILLICIT ALCOHOL CONFISCATION
Authorities are principally doing their half in curbing the buying and selling of those unlawful merchandise. There have been frequent reviews of illicit alcohol value tons of of hundreds and even tens of millions being found in varied provinces. The South African Police Service ( SAPS) made quite a few arrests in two separate incidents within the Western Cape on 1 November 2024. They revealed in a social media submit that unlawful alcoholic merchandise value R250 000 had been confiscated in Paarl East.
ILLICIT ALCOHOL IS A HEALTH HAZARD
The three commonest types of illicit alcohol are counterfeit alcohol, smuggled items and residential brews. Pretend alcohol and residential brews pose a severe well being hazard. In SA, it’s estimated that about 500 million litres of dangerous illicit alcohol is consumed yearly, in accordance with Tax Justice South Africa. SAPS says analysis exhibits that these merchandise could cause liver or kidney points if consumed regularly. Additionally, they’ll trigger belly ache, vomiting, drowsiness and blindness.
HAVE YOU OR ANYONE YOU KNOW BEEN AFFECTED BY ILLICIT ALCOHOL?
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