BLOEMFONTEIN – An ongoing operation by the SAPS National Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Unit (NCIGU) resulted in the seizure of goods worth more than R160.431 million in Gauteng and the Free State this week. Multidisciplinary teams made the seizures during separate operations conducted from Tuesday to Friday, 16 October.

The biggest discovery was made in the Johannesburg CBD, where over 62 000 counterfeit items were seized. The SAPS NCIGU team was supported by the SAPS Public Order Policing (POP) Unit in Pretoria, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) Customs Division, and brand protectors.

Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk, national spokesperson for police, said counterfeit goods worth more than R160 million were seized at various shops in the Johannesburg CBD. “This followed the execution of search-and-seizure warrants on Tuesday at several identified shops located in a retail building. Seizures of more than 62 000 items included high-end branded clothing, footwear, cosmetics, watches, jewellery and sunglasses,” said Van Wyk.

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Warrant Officer Martin Xuma, spokesperson for the Free State police, said a total of 508 pairs of counterfeit tekkies seized were estimated at R431 800 during operation conducted on Friday 16 October.

“Items bear well-known brands’ names. These were seized following the execution of a search warrant at Dealers in Shoes & Clothing located in St George’s Street in Bloemfontein CBD,” he said. Xuma said a case docket was opened at Parkweg for contravention of the Counterfeit Goods Act, with further investigations by the police and brand experts.

The Free State team was made up of the Provincial Illicit Goods Task Team, Search and Rescue Diving Unit, and Provincial Emergency Service.

Van Wyk strongly warned members of the community about the negative impact of counterfeit goods on the economy of the country. “These products are often manufactured and distributed outside regulated systems, with no regard for quality standards, safety, or lawful trade practices.”

Van Wyk highlighted the following:
– Legitimate manufacturers and retailers lose market share to illegal traders, leading to reduced production and job losses
– Counterfeit goods infringe on the intellectual property rights of legitimate brand owners
– Counterfeit and illicit goods pose serious health and safety risks to consumers.