Police in Lenasia, south of Johannesburg, recently conducted a joint operation that led to the seizure of counterfeit goods valued at nearly R2 million. The operation, spearheaded by the Gauteng Counterfeit Unit, National Counterfeit Unit, Border Police, SARS, and brand protectors, targeted five shops and two kiosks in the area.
The confiscated goods included counterfeit clothing items, cellphone accessories, and toys, with a total estimated value of R1.8 million. This seizure is part of the ongoing efforts by the South African Police Service (SAPS) to disrupt and dismantle the illicit trade in counterfeit and contraband goods across the country.
In a similar operation earlier this year in Limpopo, police arrested three foreign nationals and seized fake and illicit goods worth over R5 million. The operation, led by the National Counterfeit Goods Unit, involved support from various law enforcement agencies and brand protectors. More than 2,000 counterfeit and illicit items, such as sneakers, clothing, cell phone accessories, perfumes, and consumables, were confiscated during the raid at a shopping mall in Musina.
Additionally, in a separate incident in Johannesburg last December, Gauteng police seized counterfeit and illicit goods valued at more than R66 million. Four Malawian nationals were arrested for contravening the Immigration Act during the operation. The seized items included clothing, shoes, belts, cosmetics, cigarettes, liquor, and even bottles of illicit poison.
The police remain committed to combating the illicit trade in counterfeit goods to protect legitimate businesses and consumers from substandard products that pose health and safety risks. These operations serve as a reminder that law enforcement agencies are actively working to address the issue of counterfeit goods in South Africa and ensure the safety and well-being of the public.
