This comes on the back of complaints about traders raised on the social media platform Facebook. 

Destea spokesperson, Mojalefa Mphapang, was speaking on the OFM Business Hour to provide insight into the raids that were recently conducted in Odendaalsrus and Virginia by the department’s consumer protection unit (CPU) together with police and the Free State Gambling, Liquor and Tourism Authority (FSGLTA). 

Mphapang says the operation on 7 and 8 July in the aforementioned two Free State towns unveiled that the problem was a bigger issue than initially thought, thus resulting in Destea MEC, Makalo Mohale, expanding the operation to other parts of the province. 

The department says the draft Free State Local Integrated Economic Development and Transformation Bill also aims to do away with illicit trading by regulating business in the province. 

Also Read: FS Destea reviewing Business Act

Whilst the bill is still in the process of being passed and implemented, Destea, led by Mohale, urges residents of the Free State to report illicit alcohol trading to the nearest police station or make contact with the department’s consumer protection unit: 051 400 9656/9611/4857/4854/ 4855/9612/4856.