QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER EXTERNAL

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www.kznlqa.co.za

ILLICIT BOOZE-

MAKING RING

BUST IN KZN,

R500,000

WORTH OF

'COUNTERFEIT'

LIQUOR

SEIZED

VICTORY FOR

RESIDENTS

AS SEABASS

TAVERN

SHUTS DOWN

FOREWORD:

MS MBALI

MYENI,

CHAIRPERSON

OF THE

BOARD

"None of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can all do small things, with great love, and together we can do

something wonderful." – Mother Teresa

There are times in our outer and inner worlds when we experience turbulent change and uncertainty. These moments

seem to be escalating in frequency and intensity. Managing and responding calmly to challenging times – in our

relationships, workplaces, in the environment, globally and even in our state of mind – it is vital still for everyday living.

The period under review is indeed like none other, and has required sheer diligence and for us to adapt to a foreign

situation. While we prepped ourselves to close the curtains on the previous financial year with our minds sharpened for the

ensuing, one could have never anticipated the honourable president’s announcement to enforce a national level 5

lockdown. This meant the entire country’s economy was on a standstill, including an enforced liquor ban.

While the entire country was on lockdown, and although we are not categorized as an essential service, we were

required to keep our ears on the ground and be on a constant lookout for non-compliant liquor trade and consumption.

The effort and passion from each Business Unit has and continues to be commended – throughout the previous and

current financial year, and during this period. We could have never anticipated such, but our efforts as an Entity is

applaudable.

Grace and appreciation is far and wide extended to our MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental

Affairs, Ms Nomusa Dube-Ncube for her continued support and leadership. E. M Kelly once said:

“Remember the difference between a boss and a leader; a boss says GO and a true leader says LET’S GO”

Throughout these trying times and having reached the peak of the pandemic nationally and in certain parts of our

Province, our MEC has by far displayed and demonstrated tremendous support in our quest of ensuring work continues

and that we heed the President’s call of a total ban and suspension of liquor trade.

I also commend the efforts and dedication of the entire Board of Directors and the various strategic and key Committees

that lead and guide the Entity. Executive, Management and staff should not go unnoticed; your stellar contributions have

shaped and moulded the KZN Liquor Authority to the power house that it is today.

In conclusion, we spent a great amount of time, energy and effort in building a team and building cohesiveness across all

Business Units - we must continue to place great emphasis on this important area as I believe that our success can only be

achieved when we work together as a team. This does not mean that we may not disagree with each other,

disagreements are necessary and healthy as it enhances our understanding and sharpens our thinking processes which

ultimately contributes to organisational success.

Let us continue to work together for the prosperity and betterment of the Entity. Let us rise above the pandemic, ensure

full compliance and adherence to the KZN Liquor Act and remember to stay safe.

ILLICIT BOOZE-

MAKING RING BUST

IN KZN, R500,000

WORTH OF

'COUNTERFEIT'

LIQUOR SEIZED

Police in KwaZulu-Natal have busted a ring of illicit alcohol producers and confiscated

counterfeit liquor estimated at more than R500,000 in the Mandawe area on the south coast.

Police confirmed that during a raid on Friday night they had discovered 280 bottles (750ml) of

spirits that had been bottled in a house in the area.

A further 1,500 litres of pure alcohol, which could have potentially produced a further 3,400

bottles (750ml), were also found.

Hundreds of bottles with labels of different commercial alcoholic spirits brands (whisky, brandy,

vodka and gin) were discovered together with a stack of unused caps and glue for sealing,

police confirmed.

One suspect was arrested at the scene and taken to Scottburgh police station.

Police said they would continue to crack down on illicit alcohol producers.

Spokesperson for the SA Liquor Brandowners Association (Salba) Sibani Mngadi said the

industry was concerned about the risk to public health posed by mass-scale production and

sale of counterfeit liquor during this period of national lockdown to curb the spread of Covid-

19.

“Our view is that criminal syndicates have found a gap in the market with prohibition of formal

sale of alcoholic beverages. The value of R500,000 is actually a conservative estimate had

those counterfeit brands been sold at their normal retail prices. But we know that with current

high consumer demand, prices in the illicit market have skyrocketed,” said Mngadi.

He said the industry was committed to working with law enforcement agencies to stop the

illicit trade in alcohol.

“The refilling of branded bottles with counterfeit liquid is having major negative impact on

consumer perception of our brands. It is therefore in both our commercial and public health

interest to assist the police curbing this criminal activity,” said Mngadi.

MAJOR

COUNTERFIET

ALCOHOL BUST IN

ILLOVU TOWNSHIP

Tip off was received about the suspect selling & distributing

Counterfeit liquor at Illovu Township on the 15.04.2020.

In quick response to the tip off at 17:00 SAPS Umlazi K9 Unit, Diageo

Brand Protection & Durban Intelligence team met and performed

an operation at Illovu Township C Section.

Suspect was caught red handed refilling Smirnoff 1818 bottles, an

operation resulted in successful recovery of Diageo products.

Discovered DIAGEO Products

1. 196 x 750ml Smirnoff 1818 *empty bottles*

2. 100 Litres Ethanol

3. 1 x Black Bag full of Smirnoff 1818 Closures.

4. 5 x 750ml Smirnoff 1818 - Refilled bottles.

One suspect (age 50 yrs.) by the name of Sandile Goodenough

Mthembu was arrested and charged for:

1.Manufacturing and selling counterfeit alcohol

2. Contravening Disaster Management act - 2020 selling Counterfeit

liquor during lockdown.

Suspect in custody at Amanzimtoti Police Station

All exhibits kept at Amanzimtoti Police Station

STATEMENT

BY THE MEC:

COUNTERFEIT

OF SMIRNOFF

1818

CONFISCATED

Ms Nomusa Dube-Ncube, MPL

MEC: Economic Development, Tourism and

Environmental Affairs

Statement by the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs – Nomusa Dube-Ncube

following the arrest of a 50-year old suspect for manufacturing and selling counterfeit alcohol

19 April 2020

I wish to commend stakeholders in the liquor industry who have contacted me expressing their firm

commitments to adhering to the lockdown regulations.

I appreciate the fact that they understand that the regulations are aimed at containing the spread of the virus.

In particular, it is comforting to know that they have joined hands with government in intensifying efforts aimed

ensuring the full recovery of our economy post COVID – 19.

We acknowledge the fact that the liquor industry remains critical in ensuring socio-economic development.

Many other sectors of our economy such as tourism, hospitality and entertainment rely heavily on the liquor

industry. A thriving liquor industry is therefore in the interest of this province.

During this period and beyond, we undertake to continue to work with stakeholders to strengthen the control

and regulation of liquor through the KwaZulu-Natal Liquor Act.

Through the KZN Liquor Board Authority - an entity under the department, will undertake awareness campaigns

in order to educate communities about the Act and lockdown regulations.

During this period, we have joined forces with law enforcement agencies and industry role players to clamp

down on those flouting the regulations and any law of the country.

Critically, we wish to commend law enforcement officers who arrested a suspect involved in the

manufacturing, distribution and selling of counterfeit liquor at Illovu Township, South of Durban.

The suspect (Case no 125/04/2020) was caught red handed refilling Smirnoff 1818 bottles during an intensive

operation that resulted in successful recovery of the following Diageo products: -

●196 x 750ml Smirnoff 1818 (empty bottles);

●100 Litres Ethanol;

●3. 1 x Black Bag full of Smirnoff 1818 Closures;

●4. 5 x 750ml Smirnoff 1818 - Refilled bottles.

This 50-year-old suspect was charged for: -

●Contravening Disaster Management act – 2020;

●Manufacturing and selling counterfeit alcohol;

●Selling counterfeit liquor during lockdown.

South Africa is founded on the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law. Our laws should apply to all, not some. Businesses too must meet their legal

obligation. Obtaining a business license and paying your taxes is part of business compliance.

As the Department we remain committed to sustaining a collaborative approach to ensure that compliance of the relevant laws outlined below. Failure by anyone to

adhere to these will result in the prosecution without fear or favour: -

●Disaster Management Act;

●The Business Act of 1991;

●Consumer Protection Act;

●Labour Relations Act;

●National Health Act;

●Occupational and Safety Act;

●National Environmental Act;

●the Bank Act & Income Tax Act, Vat Tax Act etc.

Ends

ISSUED BY THE MEC FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS- NOMUSA DUBE-

NCUBE

VICTORY FOR

RESIDENTS AS

SEABASS TAVERN

SHUTS DOWN

Ward 11 PR councillor, Shontel De Boer, together with some of the residents, who were

brave enough to call for the shutdown of the tavern. Other residents, who were present,

feared for their lives and declined to pose for the photograph.

It was a huge victory for Seabass residents in Newlands East after the licence for a notorious

tavern was not renewed by the KZN Liquor Board, recently.

Newlands East residents had labelled the Seabass Tavern a drug and murder den after several

people had been allegedly killed on the premises over the years.

The community then called for the shutdown of the tavern and also started a petition to get it

closed.

The establishment, situated on Seabass Road, has been the subject of crime scenes for

numerous murders over the years as patrons have died as a result of stabbings and assaults at

the premises.

Family and friends of the late Mervin Matthew Stix Dominic, who died after he was allegedly

assaulted at the tavern beyond recognition, said they are satisfied with the tavern’s licence

not being renewed.

His sister, Desiree Peterson, said, “My tribute of gratitude goes out to Cllr Shontel De Boer, who

arranged our meeting and followed up tirelessly with the KZN Liquor Board, Duane Paulsen for

his online petitions and my heartfelt sympathies go to the Willard and Canthitoo families on

the loss of their loved ones at the same tavern.”

Ward 11 PR councillor, Shontel De Boer, stated that calls for the shutdown of Seabass Tavern

had fallen on deaf ears for many years.

“The social ills associated with the tavern had resulted in the loss of lives and serious injuries to

patrons. The tavern patrons have continuously harassed neighbours even blocked off

driveway access to some of them. Residents throughout the area came together through a

petition calling for the closure of the tavern after a spate of murders and other incidences at

the tavern. I lost a cousin, who was an upstanding member of the community at the tavern

and I made it my business to lead the residents calling for the shutdown. We stood together in

meetings with the liquor authorities and made sure we had all our facts and evidence kept

tightly together. It’s a true victory for the community as nothing positive ever came out of this

institution. I am grateful to God for guiding us and keeping us together in our fight against this

tavern and to all those involved in this fight.”

GOVERNMENT PLEADS

WITH COMMUNITIES TO

REPORT ILLEGAL

MANUFACTURING AND

SALE OF ALCOHOL

Provincial liquor regulator in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, the KwaZulu-Natal Liquor

Authority has pleaded with communities to report and blow the whistle on illegal

manufacturing and sale of counterfeit alcohol as it has damaging results on your health.

The plea from the KZNLA comes days after the South African Police Services’ (SAPS) raided

and seized more than 20 boxes of illegal spirits labelled Smirnoff vodka and manufacturing

machines in an identified residence in Dududu, Mdoni Municipality.

KwaZulu-Natal Liquor Authority’s Communications Officer, Mr Vuyani Dimba sung the

chorus of support for law enforcement agencies who acted swiftly and headed the call to

expose and apprehend these perpetrators. Mr Dimba continued to say and ensure that

the KZNLA is working around the clock to ensure all illegal trade and manufacturing to shut

down.

“We are aware that these people produce the counterfeit alcohol using some hazards

products such as methanol. According to research, methanol is highly dangerous and isn’t

suited for human consumption and is proven to cause blindness and damage the kidneys

severely, which all can result in death,”

“We plea with communities to work with us and law enforcement agencies to bring these

people to book before more deaths occur,” said Mr Dimba.

National police spokesperson, Brigadier Vish Naidoo confirmed that the suspects fled the

scene before the police arrived at the residents. Naidoo also warned on the severity of

consuming these homemade counterfeit alcohol products. He said a case has been

opened and is being investigated.

“This encouraged me to continue my fight for justice and also for the future generations, who have to grow up in this community. Today, I say we have not been silenced,”

she said.

The resident who started the petition to shut down the tavern, Duane Paulsen, extended his gratitude to Cllr De Boer for her dedication to the community and helping to

close down the tavern. “I had to make a stand for what was right in the community and not allow the fighting and murders to take place in and around the tavern. I am

thankful for what has been done in the community. We have accomplished what we set out to accomplish and we will not rest in the community of Newlands East,” he

said.

Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC, Ms Nomusa Dube-Ncube sung praises and applauded SAPS and the KZN Liquor Authority for their

efforts and work.

“I wish to extend my sincere gratitude and appreciation to both government institutions for ensuring the safety of our people and all wrongdoers face the mighty arm

of the law,” said Ms Dube-Ncube.

She continued to warn all those who haven’t been apprehended to sleep with one eye open.

LOCKDOWN COMPLIANCE INSPECTIONS – A JOB

WELL DONE!