COUNTERFEIT GOODS WORTH MORE THAN R17 MILLION SEIZED, 16 SUSPECTS ARRESTED IN RECENT NATIONWIDE OPERATIONS
Pretoria, 09 May 2026; The South African Police Service (SAPS), with support from its crime-fighting partners, seized counterfeit goods worth more than R17 million and arrested 16 suspects during recent nationwide operations.
Spearheaded by the National and Provincial Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Units, multidisciplinary teams carried out 33 takedown operations across the Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and the Western Cape during April 2026.
These operations resulted in the seizure of large quantities of counterfeit and illicit goods, including branded clothing, sports apparel, cellphone accessories, toys, pharmaceuticals, consumables, as well as counterfeit liquor and cigarettes.
Police arrested sixteen suspects in total, of whom nine were arrested for contravening the Immigration Act, five for contravening the Counterfeit Goods Act, and two for contravening the Liquor Act.
Community members are urged to think twice before purchasing counterfeit and illicit goods:
▶️ Counterfeit and illicit goods pose serious risks to consumers, legitimate businesses, and the country’s economy;
▶️ These products are often manufactured and distributed outside regulated systems, with no regard for quality standards, safety, or lawful trade practices;
▶️ Legitimate manufacturers and retailers lose market share to illegal traders, leading to reduced production and job losses;
▶️ Counterfeit goods infringe on the intellectual property rights of legitimate brand owners.
The SAPS extends its sincere appreciation to all participating departments, various law enforcement agencies, and key stakeholders for their continued collaboration and commitment to combating the illegal trade in counterfeit, contraband, and illicit goods.
