Suspected Counterfeit Highlanders African Gin Seized in Bulawayo Police Raid

BULAWAYO – Police in Bulawayo have uncovered a suspected illegal alcohol manufacturing operation in the city centre, leading to the arrest of two people and the seizure of large quantities of ethanol, distilling equipment, and hundreds of bottles bearing the recently launched Highlanders African Gin brand.

The operation, carried out on Wednesday, followed a tip-off from members of the public about a premises allegedly being used to manufacture and distribute illicit alcoholic beverages.

Speaking during a media briefing on Thursday, Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said officers raided a residential flat suspected of operating as an illegal alcohol production facility.

"We received a tip-off that there was a premises in town producing illicit alcohol. We went there and recovered three full 200-litre drums containing ethanol," said Inspector Msebele.

Police also recovered equipment believed to have been used in the production and packaging of illegal alcoholic beverages.

In addition to the ethanol, officers seized various alcoholic products suspected to be illicit brews commonly known as "njengu" as well as other unregulated brands.

"We recovered various assortments of alcohol, which we suspect to be njengu and other illicit products. When we asked for licences authorising production and distribution, none were produced," she said.

Authorities also impounded two vehicles allegedly linked to the operation.

Among the products recovered during the raid were hundreds of bottles labelled as Highlanders African Gin, a beverage recently launched as part of Highlanders Football Club's centenary celebrations. The discovery comes less than three weeks after the gin was officially unveiled on 25 May through a partnership between Highlanders FC and Comrades Beverages. Police have not indicated whether the seized products were genuine or counterfeit, but said investigations are underway.

Inspector Msebele confirmed that samples of the confiscated alcohol would undergo laboratory testing.

"The confiscated alcohol will be sent to a laboratory for scientific tests to determine the components used in the manufacturing of the illicit alcohol brew," she said.

The results are expected to establish whether the products meet regulatory standards and whether any counterfeit branding was involved.

Police arrested a man and a woman in connection with the suspected illicit alcohol operation.

The pair is expected to appear in court to face charges linked to the alleged unlawful production and distribution of alcoholic beverages. Investigations remain ongoing.

Inspector Msebele warned that the production, distribution, and sale of illicit alcohol are prohibited under Zimbabwean law and can pose serious health risks to consumers. She urged members of the public to report suspected illegal brewing activities to law enforcement authorities. Police also advised consumers to purchase alcoholic beverages only from licensed retailers and authorised distributors to reduce the risk of buying counterfeit or unsafe products. The raid highlights growing concerns over the proliferation of illicit alcohol operations, which authorities say undermine legitimate businesses, evade taxes, and potentially expose consumers to harmful substances.

Counterfeit Highlanders African Gin