Online Reporter
Arron Nyamayaro
AFRICAN Distillers sales recorded a ten percent increase after authorities cracked down on smuggled alcohol at the country’s ports of entry.
This was revealed by Afdis managing director, Muchaneta Ndachena, during the tour of the plant in Mt Hampden by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Dr Thomas Utete Wushe.
She said their spirits and wine sales had been negatively affected by the influx of counterfeit products passing through the borders.
“It is our wish to see a continued campaign against the smuggling of goods by unscrupulous dealers affecting the formal market,” said Ndachena.
“We recorded an increase in our sales the time when law enforcers made sure all smugglers failed to deliver their illicit beers in the country.”
Dr Wushe commended the company for the expansion of its plant.
“Afdis is planning tó invest in a number of projects spanning over US$10 million.
“They are grateful for the anti-smuggling, anti-counterfeit blitz and the recent ban on illicit beverages like tumbwa.
“This has positively impacted on their productivity.
“They are now expanding and their staff complement has risen to 433.
“Families of these employees are now having food on the table.”
