Police operations have led to the seizure of counterfeit goods worth more than R160 million across various parts of the country.
“This week, police collectively seized counterfeit goods worth more than R160 million during multiple takedown operations in different parts of the country. The National Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Unit led a joint takedown operation in Bellville on Tuesday, 24 March 2026, which resulted in the seizure of counterfeit goods worth more than R117 million,” the South African Police Service (SAPS) said in a statement on Saturday.
The multidisciplinary team also comprised members from the Western Cape Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Unit, Crime Intelligence, the National Intervention Unit (NIU), Public Order Policing (POP) and officials from the South African Revenue Service (SARS) Customs Division, among others.
The team seized over 130 000 counterfeit items, including branded clothing, sports apparel, sneakers, caps, sunglasses, and watches.
In Gauteng, police executed several takedown operations in Johannesburg, Tshwane, Meyerton, Vanderbijlpark, and Vereeniging throughout the week.
In one operation, the Gauteng Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Unit, with support from various role players, shut down a counterfeit manufacturing plant operating in a medical building in the Johannesburg central business district.
“Counterfeit goods and label-printing machines worth over R28 million were seized. Additionally, a takedown operation in KwaZulu-Natal resulted in the seizure of a large consignment of counterfeit cigarettes worth over R15 million in Sydenham,” said the police.
The police said the illegal trade in counterfeit goods not only undermines the economy of South Africa but also threatens consumer health and safety, infringes on intellectual property rights, and erodes legitimate businesses.
Vehicle smuggling
Meanwhile, the work of the National Task Team deployed to the Emanguzi northern parts of KwaZulu-Natal has secured yet another conviction of a vehicle smuggler.
This follows the Mtubatuba Regional Court sentencing 45 -year-old Mpumelelo Cloud Goba on Friday to direct imprisonment for the theft of a motor vehicle worth more than R700 000 from a parking lot in Durban in August 2025.
“The accused was sentenced to seven years’ direct imprisonment, half of which is suspended for a period of five years on condition he is not found guilty of a similar offence,” the police said in a statement.
According to the police, the team operationalised information which was circulated about a Toyota Fortuner stolen from the parking lot in Durban.
Police intercepted the said vehicle with false registration en route to Emanguzi to be handed over to another driver to be smuggled into Mozambique, ultimately leading to Goba’s arrest.
“He was charged with the theft of a motor vehicle, and the team further conducted an investigation as well as successfully opposing his bail application in the Hluhluwe District Court until his case was transferred and finalised in the Mtubatuba Regional Court on 27 March 2026.
“This sentence underscores the Emanguzi Task Team’s unwavering commitment and dedication to deal decisively with cross-border crimes, especially vehicle smuggling from South Africa to the neighbouring countries, mostly to Mozambique,” the police said.
Since April 2025 to date, the team has arrested 96 suspects for various offences, seized 16 illegal firearms, including imitations and recovered 67 vehicles, as well as a truck.
“The team remains dedicated to combating cross-border crimes in the north of KwaZulu-Natal and surrounding areas, specifically focusing on vehicle theft and smuggling, robbery, carjacking, illegal possession of firearms, murder, attempted murder and robbery,” the police said. -SAnews.gov.za
