South Africans have always known how to spot a good deal, especially when it comes to alcohol, but those bargains might come at the ultimate price.
A new report has revealed that nearly one in five alcoholic drinks in the country is fake, and some of it is so convincing it’s ending up on the shelves of regular liquor stores.
The study, conducted by Euromonitor International in collaboration with the Drinks Federation of South Africa (DF-SA), has uncovered a booming underground booze market that’s not just targeting dodgy taverns or illegal shebeens.
Fake alcohol is now infiltrating mainstream outlets, wrapped in counterfeit labels that imitate trusted brands. The trade is worth more than R25 billion a year, and it’s not just consumers who are being ripped off, as reported by The Citizen.
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is losing a massive R16.5 billion annually in unpaid excise duties due to this shadow industry.
Over the past seven years, the illicit alcohol trade has grown by 55%, with government losses shooting up by a staggering 157%.
And while the cut-price drinks, often between 37% and 70% cheaper than the real thing, are tempting for cash-strapped citizens, the risks are deadly.
Counterfeit alcohol often skips every form of safety regulation. Without any oversight, there’s no telling what’s inside the bottle.
Methanol poisoning, commonly associated with bootleg liquor, has led to hundreds of deaths globally. In 2020, for instance, at least 20 people died in Cape Town and the Eastern Cape after consuming tainted homemade brew during the COVID-19 liquor bans.
Officials warn that while bargain booze might save you a few rands today, it could cost you far more in the long run, including your life.
Alcohol industry watchdogs are urging consumers to pay closer attention to what they’re buying, even at reputable stores.
Signs of fakes can include unusual packaging, poor-quality printing on labels, missing barcodes, or caps that seem tampered with.
Back in December of last year, law enforcement in Cape Town confiscated a large stash of suspected counterfeit alcohol in Dunoon, following a tip-off about an illegal operation.
The Drinks Federation has called for tougher penalties and improved tracking technology to help curb the crisis.
With profits sky-high and law enforcement stretched thin, authorities say the counterfeit alcohol racket is now being linked to organised crime networks operating across borders.
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