A smokkelhuis (or smokkie) is a residential building that sells booze. They “smokkel,” meaning they sell without a license. It’s an underground operation, usually happening behind closed doors—or sometimes behind a slightly cracked door guarded by an outoppie named Ballie.
If you’re looking to stock up on some drinks, most smokkelhuise sell beers, ciders, and cheap white wines (often the kind in 10L bottles). Some even sell spirits, but the bestsellers are usually the beers and the white wines. The owners of these smokkelhuise aren’t looking to make a fortune; it’s a source of income for them. They typically buy their stock from legit liquor stores and resell it at a profit. For example, if a bottle costs R17 at the liquor store, it’ll likely be sold for R25 at the smokkelhuis.
The operation requires discretion. Smokkelhuis operators are careful not to attract the attention of the police cruising the area. Raids happen, but these smokkies always seem to pop back up again. They’re pretty resilient.
You’ll find a smokkelhuis in just about every Cape Flats neighbourhood. It could be in the house next door, just down the road, or tucked away in a hidden corner that only the well-connected know about. Sometimes, they’re easy to spot—just look for the house with people lounging on makeshift furniture, like overturned buckets and beer crates, sipping on quarts.
Smokkies are kind of an open Cape Flats secret—if you know, you know.
Disclaimer: This blog post is intended for informational purposes only. Cape Coloured Culture does not condone or support the illegal sale of alcohol or any other unlawful activities.
Author: Editorial Team
About The Author
