Bethal Police and GMM work together to curb illegal trading
The public is urged to refrain from buying counterfeit goods. They should rather report anyone trading in suspected stolen properties to the police.
Bethal Police, the Govan Mbeki Law Enforcement team, Govan Mbeki Environmental Health practitioners and electricians conducted a joint operation on Friday, August 19 in which they raided several shops to ensure compliance and law enforcement.
During the operation, illicit goods, including backpacks, shoe polish, cigarette cartons, watches, belts and T-shirts worth about R20 000 were confiscated.
The Govan Mbeki Law Enforcement team issued business owners with fines to the value of about R8000 for non-compliance, possession of counterfeit goods and illegal electricity connections.
Retail store owners were warned not to display goods on the pavement in front of the shops as they are distracting people’s movements in the CBD.
A 34-year-old man was also arrested for contravention of the Immigration Act of South Africa.
He is from Malawi and appears to be in the country without legal documents.
He will appear at the Bethal Magistrate’s Court on Monday, August 22.
The public is urged to refrain from buying counterfeit goods. They should rather report anyone trading in suspected stolen properties to the police.
The Provincial Commissioner of the police in Mpumalanga, Lieut-Gen Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, has appreciated the collaborative effort by the law enforcement agencies.
