JOHANNESBURG - “Although it is counterfeit goods, which is bad, it will be put to good use,” said Curt Jacobs, the deputy director of the Southern African Federation Against Copyright Theft (Safact).

The discs were gathered by the Jeppe, Hillbrow and Johannesburg Central policing cluster during a three week operation.

“Gauteng is considered to be the hub of piracy,” Jacobs said.

There were CDs and DVDs, including pornography discs with the street value of R8 million destroyed in the presence of  50 high ranking SA Police Service  members.

“Criminals manufacturing and distributing counterfeit discs are taking cash away from our local artists,” said the head of Crime Line, Yusuf Abramjee.

Abramjee said the time has come to intensify the war on pirated goods.

The Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Mzwandile Petros said members of the public should call the Crime Line and keep the “police on their toes”.

Police are expected to regularly monitor the anti-piracy campaign which protects artists’ copyright to their work.

“We will monitor the campaign monthly and indicate our focus not only on the streets but on those who manufacture these goods,”  Petros said. – aarifahn@citizen.co.za