Man sentenced for dealing in counterfeit sneakers worth millions
A man has been sentenced for dealing in nearly 5 000 counterfeit sneakers with a street value of over R4 million after being caught at the Lebombo border.
Vusi Victor Nkosi (40) was sentenced by the Middelburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court yesterday (November 20) for dealing in counterfeit goods.
On 5 September 2023, Nkosi was driving a commercial DAF truck with two trailers carrying close to 5 000 pairs of counterfeit sneakers from various brands, valued at an estimated R4 485 000. The truck was travelling from Mozambique into South Africa when Nkosi failed to declare the goods at Lebombo Border Port of Entry. He was arrested, and the truck, along with the trailers and goods, was taken to the SARS Customs Warehouse in Komatipoort.
Investigations were conducted by the Hawks’ Nelspruit Serious Commercial Crime unit, and the case was later transferred to the Middelburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court. Nkosi pleaded guilty on 30 July 2025.
The court sentenced him to a R10 000 fine or six months in prison, in addition to 24 months correctional supervision. He will remain under 24-hour house arrest during the supervision period and must perform 16 hours of community service per month for the full duration.
The sentence highlights the continued efforts to curb the import and sale of counterfeit goods in the province and serves as a warning to those involved in similar illegal activity.
