Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(S.Afr.) methylated spirits (as drunk by alcoholics); thus vlam-drinker.

1977		D. Muller Whitey 13: We smoked a whole arm of boom and drank-out a big can of vlam! [Ibid.] 38: Ou Lem is mad in the head from too much dagga and vlam. [Ibid.] 70: A vlam-drinker exudes the distinct odour of a veteran primus stove. [Ibid.] 98: What a pity he had not thought to bring the bottle of vlam with him.
1985		B. Simon ‘Outers’ Born in the RSA (1997) 43: richard: Meths will kill you. bles: Ja, no, I don’t drink vlam. [Ibid.] 56: I drink vlam because it’s the cheapest.