GAUTENG – Mobile phone accessories, consumables and toys were part of the counterfeit goods worth hundreds of thousands of rand recently seized in Gauteng.
On Friday 24 April, a counterfeit, contraband, and illicit goods operation targeted Midrand in the Johannesburg area, where 55 counterfeit mobile phone accessories were discovered with an estimated value of R55 000, also 142 counterfeit consumables valued at R1 620, together with 31 counterfeit toys valued at R3 500, and 75 pairs of counterfeit socks estimated at R7 500.
On Tuesday 28 April, the Gauteng Counterfeit Unit and the Brand Protector carried out a counterfeit, contraband, and illicit goods operation that resulted in the seizure of 195 counterfeit consumables with an estimated street value of R25 780 and 301 counterfeit toys with a value of R106 000.
On Wednesday 29 April, yet another operation was conducted at the Kempton Park policing precinct and resulted in 173 counterfeit consumables, valued at R12 470, as well as 88 counterfeit toys valued at R17 800 being seized, says Captain Tintswalo Sibeko, police spokesperson in Gauteng.
Counterfeit goods are illegal
Although everyone loves a bargain and saving money, the buying or selling of counterfeit goods is a crime because it harms legitimate businesses, defrauds consumers, and can pose serious health and safety risks.
It also undermines the economy, erodes public trust, and can fund organised crime. The South African Police Service (SAPS) actively works to combat the sale of counterfeit goods through various operations and partnerships.
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The buying or selling of counterfeit goods in South Africa is illegal under the Counterfeit Goods Act, 1997, which prohibits the trade, possession, and manufacture of fake items that infringe on intellectual property rights. It is considered a serious criminal offence that harms consumers, legitimate businesses, the economy, and often funds organised crime.
Dangers of counterfeit goods
Counterfeit products are produced outside of regulated systems, with no quality control, often using dangerous, substandard materials. Counterfeit medicines can be ineffective or deadly, whilst counterfeit food and beauty products may contain harmful chemicals and poisons.
Furthermore, counterfeiting impacts the local fashion and manufacturing industries, which are crucial for employment.
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the global counterfeit trade is often linked to syndicates involved in other criminal activities, including human trafficking and terrorism.
If you discover you have been sold a fake product, you can report it to the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa or the SAPS by dialling the National Anti-Corruption Hotline on 0800 701 701.
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