The alarming rise of R25bn illicit booze trade in SA

SOUTH Africa is facing a dangerous surge in the illicit alcohol trade, now worth over R25 billion, with mounting consequences for public health, consumer safety, and the national economy.

- MANDILAKHE TSHWETE

As the black-market industry grows, so do the body counts.

The Drinks Federation of South Africa (DF-SA) this week released research revealing that the volume of illegal alcohol has increased by 55% since 2017, reaching 773000 hectolitres in 2024.

This amounts to 18% of all alcohol sold in the country.

Head of Research at DF-SA, Dr Shamal Ramesar, warned that the figures should serve as a wake-up call.

“This study is a wake-up call. Communities are being exposed to harmful, unregulated alcohol, and the country is losing billions in revenue.

“It is urgent that government, industry and civil society work together to tackle this issue head-on,” he said.

The illicit market is valued at R25.1 billion this year, nearly double what it was in 2017, and has led to R16.5bn in lost tax revenue for the government, with counterfeit white spirits accounting for the bulk of the losses.

These aren’t just economic concerns; the human cost is increasingly visible.

In August 2024, in the close-knit farming community of Koelenhof near Stellenbosch, four farmworkers died after drinking what is believed to be expired or counterfeit alcohol sourced from a wine farm.

Monecia Alckers was the sole survivor among her group; methanol poisoning was suspected after consuming the alcohol.