By OBAKENG MAJE
20 October 2026 – Four accused who were arrested after police discovered an alleged illegal liquor manufacturing plant on a farm in the Rietfontein, outside Stilfontein remanded in custody. The arrests followed a raid conducted by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Public Order Policing Unit on 15 October 2026, acting on a tip-off.
The police reportedly approached the premises at approximately 10pm, prompting several suspects to flee in different directions. However, the police managed to apprehend four men aged between 28 and 54. The suspects have been identified as Renier Willem Volschenk (34), Gaecious Sakuli (32), Hurry Othema (54) and Martin Fernando (28).
The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said three of the accused are believed to be undocumented foreign nationals from Malawi, while the fourth is a South African citizen allegedly linked to the ownership of the business. Myburgh said the estimated value of the illicit liquor discovered at the premises at approximately R1.4 million.
“During the operation, police confiscated raw materials allegedly used in liquor production, including flavourants, colourants, pots and flow bins. Several storage tanks were also discovered, with their contents set to undergo testing after police suspected that they contained ethanol,” she said.
“These illicit plants, they compromise our economy in many ways. They employ illegal national foreigners and they kill our formal liquor traders,” she said.
North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Arthur Adams, said the police would continue targeting criminal syndicates involved in the illicit liquor trade. Adams highlighted that these syndicates exploit tax differentials and expose consumers to significant health and safety risks through the production and distribution of illicit liquor.
“We welcome the operation and such enforcement efforts formed part of broader government initiatives to combat illicit economic activities and strengthen compliance in key sectors.
“We would also like to express appreciation to North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi, North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Virginia Tlhapi and North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Oageng Molapisi for demonstrating their support by visiting the crime scene,” he said.
Adams said they faced allegations relating to contraventions of liquor, revenue and immigration legislation.
Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Virginia Tlhapi, expressed shock at the discovery of the alleged illegal liquor manufacturing operation on a privately owned farm. Tlhapi warned that illicit liquor manufacturing threatens the province’s economy and undermines legitimate businesses operating within the formal liquor industry.
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