SAPS Seizes R156 Million Worth of Counterfeit and Illicit Goods

Strategic Insights -

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has been conducting a series of operations in Pretoria, Mbombela, and Limpopo to combat the trade in counterfeit goods. In the past three weeks, the integrated team executed search-and-seizure warrants at targeted shops, seizing over 23,000 items imitating high-end designer brands. The seized items include clothing, shoes, bags, caps, watches, counterfeit jewelry, sunglasses, perfumes, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, as well as sports apparel bearing the Springboks trademark and other well-known brands. The operations were led by the National Counterfeit and Illicit Goods unit, with support from various stakeholders, and resulted in the confiscation of illicit cigarettes valued at over R50,000.

Key Takeaways:

  • The SAPS seized counterfeit and illicit goods worth more than R156 million during operations in Pretoria, Mbombela, and Limpopo.
  • The integrated team executed 23,000+ search-and-seizure warrants in targeted shops in Marabastad, Mokopane, Mbombela, Bela Bela, Mookghopong, and Modimolle.
  • The seizures included counterfeit items imitating high-end designer brands, such as clothing, shoes, bags, caps, watches, jewelry, sunglasses, perfumes, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
  • Sports apparel bearing the Springboks trademark and other well-known brands were also seized.
  • Illicit cigarettes valued at over R50,000 were confiscated during the operations.
  • The operations were led by the National Counterfeit and Illicit Goods unit, with support from Public Order Policing (POP), the South African Revenue Services (SARS) Customs and Enforcement team, counterfeit depot officials, brand protectors, and private security personnel.
  • The Counterfeit Goods Act 37 of 1997 aims to combat the trade in counterfeit goods by protecting trademarks, copyrights, and certain mark owners from the unlawful use of their intellectual property on goods.

Statistics:

  • R156 million: Worth of counterfeit and illicit goods seized during operations
  • 23,000+: Number of search-and-seizure warrants executed
  • R50,000+: Value of illicit cigarettes confiscated
  • 7: Number of provinces where operations were conducted (Pretoria, Mbombela, Limpopo)
  • 6: Number of targeted locations for search-and-seizure warrants (Marabastad, Mokopane, Mbombela, Bela Bela, Mookghopong, Modimolle)

Sources:

  • SAnews.gov.za: News Release from the Government of South Africa