Two Chinese nationals were arrested on Friday in the Johannesburg central business district in connection with counterfeit goods valued at R5.8 million.
Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk stated that the South African Police Service (SAPS) remains steadfast in its efforts to dismantle the trade in counterfeit and illicit goods across the country. The National Counterfeit Goods Unit, established in November 2023, has been instrumental in these efforts, seizing over 7,000 counterfeit items.
“Nearly 7000 counterfeit items imitating well-known brands were seized which included sports apparel, clothing, shoes, perfumes, sunglasses, watches and bags.”
During the operation, two Ethiopian nationals were also arrested for contravening the Immigration Act No. 13 of 2002. The operation involved SAPS members from various specialized units, officials from the South African Revenue Services (SARS), Gauteng Traffic’s Saturation Unit, Brand Protectors, Crime Prevention Wardens, and private security personnel.
“In the past eight months, the National Counterfeit Unit in collaboration with its various crime fighting partners seized over R400 million worth of counterfeit and illicit goods during various take-down operations in different parts of the country.”
In a related incident, a Pakistani national was arrested in Midrand in May for allegedly attempting to bribe police during a take-down operation concerning counterfeit goods. Gauteng police reported that the National Counterfeit Goods Unit led an integrated operation in Midrand, resulting in the seizure of counterfeit goods worth over R3 million.
