Kimberley man arrested for possession of illicit booze worth R10m

A Northern Cape man has been bust with R10m worth of illicit alcohol, police said.

The tuck shop where seven people died in an apparent hit in Marianhill, west of Durban, on Saturday was selling alcohol illegally. Stock photo.
The tuck shop where seven people died in an apparent hit in Marianhill, west of Durban, on Saturday was selling alcohol illegally. Stock photo. (123RF/Vladislavs Gorniks)

A Northern Cape man has been bust with R10m worth of illicit alcohol.

The 50-year-old also had R170,000 confiscated by police after he allegedly tried to bribe a cop during a raid on his premises in Kimberley on Thursday.

Provincial police spokesperson Col Mashay Gamieldien said the raid, in Southnay Street in Douglas, was a joint operation with the SA Liquor Board.

“When searching the premises, the owner wilfully directed the police to a storeroom where they discovered a huge amount of illicit alcohol,” said Gamieldien.

“While busy with investigations, the owner offered one of the members R170,000 cash to turn a blind eye. The cash was counted and amounted to R170,000, and was seized as evidence.”

Gamieldien said the man was arrested “and charged for possession of illicit alcohol and bribing a police official, and will soon appear in the Douglas magistrate’s court”.

Acting provincial commissioner Maj-Gen Henriette de Waal commended the team and praised the officer who refused the bribe.

“This is a clear indication that members will not be swayed or manipulated to commit corruption,” said De Waal.

TimesLIVE