Gauteng police seize R369 000 in counterfeit goods raids

A crackdown across Gauteng has taken thousands of suspected counterfeit and illicit products off the shelves, with police seizing 6 293 items worth an estimated R369 310 over three days, Joburg Etc reports.

According to SAPS the Gauteng Counterfeit Unit moved between shops in the West Rand and Sedibeng as part of a series of targeted operations aimed at disrupting the sale of goods described by police as counterfeit, contraband and illicit.

On Tuesday, 29 September, officers visited nine shops in the West Rand and confiscated 1 379 items valued at R60 500. The haul included counterfeit consumables, textiles, toys and games, cellphone accessories, as well as illicit poison, honey and pharmaceutical products.

The operation shifted to Vanderbijlpark on Wednesday, 30 September, where police searched eight shops and seized 2 449 items worth R215 100.

Randfontein raid adds thousands more items

The third operation took place in Randfontein on Thursday, 1 October. Ten shops were visited, resulting in the seizure of another 2 465 items estimated at R93 710.

Taken together, the three operations removed more than R369 000 worth of suspected illicit and counterfeit goods from circulation.

SAPS said the continued enforcement drive is aimed at protecting consumers and legitimate businesses, while disrupting the distribution and sale of illegal goods.

Illicit economy impact on GDP

The impact stretches far beyond the products removed from shops. According to SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter, South Africa’s broader illicit economy is estimated at between R800 billion and R1.2 trillion, equivalent to about 12% to 15% of GDP. He told Parliament that this could mean R200 billion to R300 billion in taxes that the state is failing to collect.

‘SAPS Gauteng remains committed to disrupting the distribution and sale of counterfeit, contraband and illicit goods,’ police said.

The scale of the latest seizures follows other major Gauteng operations this year. In August, police reported seizing more than R6.6 million worth of counterfeit, contraband and non-compliant goods during operations across the province.

For consumers, the issue extends beyond fake branding. SARS notes that South Africa’s Counterfeit Goods Act is intended to prevent counterfeit goods from entering local commercial channels, with certain possession, sale and distribution activities prohibited.

SAPS urged members of the public to report suspected counterfeit or illicit goods to their nearest police station, Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or anonymously via the MySAPS App.