THE influx of cheap imports and counterfeit goods into the country has seen a drastic increase, accounting for billions lost, posing a real threat to local industries, and shredding millions of jobs.

“As an organised business, we believe this is far from a minor issue; it represents a systemic threat to the economic resilience of both the country and the province. The current situation is escalating into an economic crisis, adversely affecting critical sectors,” shared Palesa Phili, CEO of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry NPC.

Also read: Police seize counterfeit goods worth R400m

She continued, “These products not only undermine intellectual property rights but also compromise safety standards and damage reputational integrity. As an organised business, we have observed the following industries struggling under this pressure, with significant impacts on operational viability and competitiveness: paper and pulp, solar manufacturing, automotive manufacturers, textile and clothing, and lastly, perhaps the most dangerous is the food and beverage sector.

“While the Durban Chamber supports international trade and promotes international relations, co-developing solutions with government and our international partners is critical to protecting our domestic market.

Also read: Counterfeit goods worth R37m, cash worth R200K confiscated during Durban raid

“Furthermore, there needs to be enforcement on illicit foreign goods.” Protecting local businesses must be a priority on South Africa’s economic agenda, she concluded.

The Minister of Small Business Development, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, agreed that the influx of cheap imports and fake products was among the major challenges facing the industry. She said the government was busy with strategic actions to cut down on cheap imports through tariffs and clamp down on fake, illicit goods entering the country.

For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.

Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here