Online Reporter
Ethanol meant for killer illicit brew in Zimbabwe
Nqobile Bhebhe
THE notorious njengu brewing empire has been dealt a heavy blow after South Africa’s Revenue Service (SARS) swooped on a secret operation preparing to flood Zimbabwe with toxic ethanol.
Authorities pounced on a Bronkhorstspruit plot near Klipspruit, where crooks were caught red-handed decanting 40 000 litres of ethanol worth R11 million into flow bins for smuggling runs.
But that was only the tip of the barrel.
“Our team found more than 92 000 litres of ethanol. This ethanol is used to manufacture illicit liquor. We also found more than 30 000 litres of paraffin with people trying to process it and remove what we call a marker,” revealed SARS spokesperson Siphithi Sibeko.
Chaos erupted when police stormed the property, with drivers bolting from their trucks in a desperate escape bid. The crackdown spread to three other sites, unearthing more vehicles and abandoned contraband.
Officials say the deadly cargo was bound for Zimbabwe, fuelling the black-market breweries behind the infamous “njengu” brew — the US$1-for-two street poison gulped in high-density suburbs.
Health experts warn the knock-off liquor is a ticking time bomb. Loaded with unregulated ethanol, it’s been linked to liver failure, blindness, and sudden death.
The bust comes hot on the heels of the Harare brewery scandal at Arlington industrial park, where Samna Liquor directors and 25 workers were arrested in July. Their line-up of killer brands — Jay-Dox vodka, Happy Cheers whiskey, and others — was seized alongside five delivery trucks.
Despite warnings, the toxic concoction remains a favourite for broke youths chasing a cheap high. But SARS has vowed the illicit booze chain will not be allowed to thrive.
“SARS condemns this in the strongest possible terms and promises that it will continue to deal with the illicit economy,” Sibeko thundered.
For now, the syndicates have lost millions, and their drinkers have been spared another flood of death in a bottle.
