Basson brothers bust again
2007-09-06
A HANDFUL of disgruntled members of the Black Association of the Wine and Spirit Industry (Bawsi) staged a protest outside the Paarl Magistrate’s Court on Monday, after two brothers who had been rearrested for selling bootleg wine, were once again out on bail.
The Basson brothers, Siem (39) and Stefan (36), were arrested three weeks ago on their farm Nuwedrift north of Paarl during a swoop by a Cape Town based task-force.
During this raid millions of rands worth of wine was seized, as well as equipment which is used for bottling, and chemicals which are used in the production of cheap wine.
Unlicensed weapons and ammunition were also seized.
The Basson brothers were charged with the illegal dealing in liquor and the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. They were then released on R1000 bail each.
Last Friday the same task-force once again raided the farm and illegal wine and bottling equipment was once again confiscated.
A second charge was laid against them for the illegal dealing in liquor.
They were once again released on bail, but this time each brother had to fork out R20 000.
The Bassons of Nuwedrift are notorious king-pins in the cheap wine industry. Their product, which is sold in plastic jugs and silver bags (papsakke), are allegedly sold mostly to shebeens.
In August 2002, Siem Basson was also charged with illegal trading in liquor without a licence and released on bail of R200.
At that time three stainless steel tanks were found on the farm, filled with wine which had allegedly been diluted with water and sugar.
In November 2003, he pleaded guilty to the charges and was fined R1200 (or four months imprisonment), which was suspended for five years.
The protestors demanded that the bail of the brothers be withdrawn.
“Their business practices are unethical and are a disgrace to the wine industry in general.”
The Bassons will appear in court again on 15 October.
More
News
|
