Western Cape police confiscated suspected counterfeit goods worth R8 million in Bellville on Thursday. Police say officials conducted inspections at identified business premises and during the operation, a large consignment of counterfeit clothing, footwear, and accessories bearing the trademarks of well-known international brands was seized.
COURTESY: SAPS‘’While no arrests were
effected during the operation, investigations are continuing to trace the
supply network and determine the origin of the illicit goods,’’ said Colonel
Andrè Traut, Western Cape police spokesperson.
COURTESY: SAPSWestern Cape Police Commissioner,
Lieutenant General (Adv.) Thembisile Patekile, commended the collaborative
effort, emphasising that the sale of counterfeit products undermines legitimate
business operations, deprives the state of revenue, and often supports
organised criminal networks.
“The SAPS will continue
to work closely with enforcement agencies and brand representatives to remove
counterfeit products from circulation and to protect the rights of consumers
and legitimate traders,” said Lieutenant General Patekile.
COURTESY: SAPSIn a separate incident,
police in Gauteng seized illegally imported cellphones, mainly Apple iPhone and
Samsung gadgets, and cell phone accessories valued at more than R17 million
along with two-way radios, IMEI and ICASA labels during a takedown operation
conducted this week in Fordsburg, Johannesburg.
‘’A multidisciplinary
team acted on intelligence regarding illegally imported electronic devices and
related items being stored and sold in a Fordsburg mall. More than a thousand
non-type approved devices and related items were confiscated for being in
contravention of the Customs and Excise Act and the Electronic Communications
Act. A non-type approved cell phone is any device that has not been certified
by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA),’’ said Lt Col Amanda van Wyk,
Gauteng police spokesperson.
All confiscated items
have been transported to ICASA’s storage facility for safekeeping and further
analysis, while investigation remains ongoing.
COURTESY: SAPSMembers of the public
are urged to report the sale of suspected counterfeit goods to their nearest
police station or through the SAPS Crime Stop number 08600 10111.
Done By: Mitchum George
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