Latest news with #CounterfeitGoodsAct
The South African
28-05-2025
- The South African
Police seize counterfeit luxury goods worth R400 million in KZN
Police in KwaZulu-Natal have uncovered counterfeit luxury goods valued at approximately R400 million at a freight depot in Edwin Swales, south of Durban. Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said police discovered the counterfeit goods on Tuesday 27 May during a routine cargo profiling operation. 'Police were conducting a routine cargo profiling when they found two containers which contained counterfeit designer clothes, jewellery and kitchenware,' said Netshiunda. 'Both containers were fraudulently declared as furniture.' Investigators believe a supplier in an Asian country sent the containers to South Africa. The sender intended to deliver the cargo to Alberton and central Johannesburg in Gauteng Province. Street vendors typically sell the counterfeit goods marked with the trademarks of world-renowned luxury brands at significantly reduced prices. Netshiunda confirmed that police are working to trace the individuals or criminal networks involved in the importation. The Durban operation comes just a week after Gauteng police seized counterfeit goods worth over R20 million in Bruma, east of Johannesburg. A multidisciplinary team conducted that operation based on gathered intelligence. Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk said police arrested 35 individuals during the raid. Authorities charged one person under the Counterfeit Goods Act and arrested 34 foreign nationals for contravening the Immigration Act. Van Wyk said the team confiscated more than 24 000 counterfeit items, including branded clothing, footwear, handbags, perfumes, jewellery, and cellphone accessories. 'The SAPS remains relentless in its efforts to dismantle the illegal trade in counterfeit and illicit goods in order to protect consumers against harmful products. Support legitimate businesses and uphold the integrity of South Africa's economy,' she said. Both operations show that police are increasingly committed to clamping down on the illegal trade of counterfeit goods. This trade continues to threaten the country's economy and legitimate businesses. Investigations into the source and distribution networks of the seized goods are ongoing. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
28-05-2025
- The Citizen
Police seize R400m in counterfeit goods at Durban freight depot
The discovery was made during a routine cargo profiling operation. Durban police found two containers with fake goods destined for the Gauteng province. Picture: Saps Police have uncovered counterfeit luxury goods worth an estimated R400 million at a freight depot in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). The goods, which are counterfeits of the world's luxury brands, were found in Edwin Swales, south of Durban, on Tuesday afternoon. Operation Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the discovery was made during a routine cargo profiling operation in Durban. 'Police were doing a routine cargo profiling when they found two containers which contained counterfeit designer clothes, jewellery and kitchenware. Both containers were fraudulently declared to be carrying furniture. 'Preliminary investigations have found that the containers entered the country from an Asian country and the cargo was destined for Alberton and central Johannesburg in Gauteng Province,' Netshiunda said. Police have uncovered counterfeit luxury goods worth an estimated R400 million at a freight depot in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). Pictures: Saps #CounterfeitGoods #Durban @TheCitizen_News May 28, 2025 ALSO READ: Police seize counterfeit goods worth nearly R2 million in Lenasia Fake goods Netshiunda said the fake luxury products are commonly sold on the streets at a fraction of their legitimate retail price He said police are now working to trace the individuals or networks behind the illegal importation. Gauteng bust Last week, Gauteng police seized counterfeit goods worth more than R20 million during a multidisciplinary takedown operation in Bruma, east of Johannesburg. Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk said they had arrested 35 individuals for the counterfeit goods. Van Wyk said one suspect was arrested for contravening the Counterfeit Goods Act, while 34 foreign nationals were arrested for contravening the Immigration Act. Counterfeit items She said they were able to seize more than 24 000 counterfeit items, including branded clothing, footwear, handbags, perfumes, jewellery and cellphone accessories. 'Acting on intelligence gathered, the team executed search and seizure warrants in accordance with the Customs and Excise Act and the Counterfeit Goods Act,' she said. 'The Saps remains relentless in its efforts to dismantle the illegal trade in counterfeit and illicit goods in order to protect consumers against harmful products, support legitimate businesses and uphold the integrity of South Africa's economy,' van Wyk said. Additional reporting by Tshehla Cornelius Koteli ALSO READ: Police seize counterfeit goods worth millions in Limpopo
The Star
25-05-2025
- The Star
Police seize counterfeit goods worth over R20 million in Bruma operation
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has seized counterfeit goods valued at more than R20 million during a high-impact operation in Bruma, east of Johannesburg. Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk said the large-scale operation, involving units such as the Hawks, Crime Intelligence, SARS, Customs, Home Affairs, and private security, led to the arrest of 35 suspects connected to counterfeit goods. 'The operation resulted in the arrest of 35 individuals. One suspect was arrested for contravening the Counterfeit Goods Act, while 34 foreign nationals were arrested for contravening the Immigration Act.' Van Wyk added that the operation confiscated over 24,000 counterfeit products, including imitation branded clothing. 'Acting on intelligence gathered, the team executed search and seizure warrants following the Customs and Excise Act and the Counterfeit Goods Act. The operation led to the seizure of over 24,000 counterfeit items, including branded clothing, footwear, handbags, perfumes, jewellery, and cellphone accessories,' she said. Van Wyk stressed that SAPS continues to fight tirelessly against the illegal trade in counterfeit goods to protect consumers, back legitimate businesses, and preserve the integrity of the country's economy. Last month, police seized counterfeit goods worth over R50 million in nationwide operations, including illicit cigarettes valued at R4.5 million during a takedown. Van Wyk said the takedown operation targeted shops in Pretoria Central, Centurion and Brits in the North West. "More than 2,000 items were seized that including high-end counterfeit clothing, shoes, handbags, caps, watches, sunglasses, and belts as well as toys," said van Wyk. Three Bangladeshi nationals were also arrested for contravening the Immigration Act during the operations. The Star [email protected]
IOL News
25-05-2025
- IOL News
Police seize counterfeit goods worth over R20 million in Bruma operation
A significant crackdown by South African Police has led to the seizure of counterfeit goods worth over R20 million, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat illegal trade and protect consumers. The South African Police Service (SAPS) has seized counterfeit goods valued at more than R20 million during a high-impact operation in Bruma, east of Johannesburg. Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk said the large-scale operation, involving units such as the Hawks, Crime Intelligence, SARS, Customs, Home Affairs, and private security, led to the arrest of 35 suspects connected to counterfeit goods. 'The operation resulted in the arrest of 35 individuals. One suspect was arrested for contravening the Counterfeit Goods Act, while 34 foreign nationals were arrested for contravening the Immigration Act.' Van Wyk added that the operation confiscated over 24,000 counterfeit products, including imitation branded clothing. 'Acting on intelligence gathered, the team executed search and seizure warrants following the Customs and Excise Act and the Counterfeit Goods Act. The operation led to the seizure of over 24,000 counterfeit items, including branded clothing, footwear, handbags, perfumes, jewellery, and cellphone accessories,' she said. Van Wyk stressed that SAPS continues to fight tirelessly against the illegal trade in counterfeit goods to protect consumers, back legitimate businesses, and preserve the integrity of the country's economy. Last month, police seized counterfeit goods worth over R50 million in nationwide operations, including illicit cigarettes valued at R4.5 million during a takedown. Van Wyk said the takedown operation targeted shops in Pretoria Central, Centurion and Brits in the North West. "More than 2,000 items were seized that including high-end counterfeit clothing, shoes, handbags, caps, watches, sunglasses, and belts as well as toys," said van Wyk. Three Bangladeshi nationals were also arrested for contravening the Immigration Act during the operations. The Star
Eyewitness News
24-05-2025
- Eyewitness News
Counterfeit goods to the value of R20 million seized in Bruma, Johannesburg
Cailynn Pretorius 24 May 2025 | 15:03 Counterfeit goods South African Police Service (SAPS) Picture: @SAPoliceService/Twitter JOHANNESBURG - Counterfeit items worth R20 million have been seized by police thanks to multi-disciplinary operations carried out in Johannesburg. Police said that they arrested 35 suspects in Bruma in connection with the alleged possession of counterfeit goods. One of the suspects was charged with violating the Counterfeit Goods Act. Police Spokesperson Amanda van Wyk said that 34 of the suspects were foreign nationals and had allegedly violated the Immigration Act. "Acting on intelligence gathered, the team executed search and seizure warrants in accordance with the Customs and Excise Act and the Counterfeit Goods Act. The operation led to the seizure of over 24,000 counterfeit items, including branded clothing, footwear, handbags, perfumes, jewellery, and cell phone accessories."
