Gauteng police together with Gauteng Traffic Police, City of Johannesburg Emergency Services, ER24 and legal representatives conducted another joint counterfeit goods search operation in the Johannesburg CBD on 22 January.
Counterfeit goods worth millions have been confiscated before in the CBD.
In this incidence, authorities recovered counterfeit goods to the value of an estimated R36 million. Spokesperson for the Gauteng police Brigadier Mathapelo Peters said in a statement 16 suspects were arrested and charged with possession of and dealing in counterfeit goods, eight of the 16 will each face an additional charge of being in the country illegally.
The police received information that there was an illegal trade operation in a building in the Joburg CBD. “On arrival at the building, police discovered different kinds of branded clothing and footwear of international sports and luxury clothing brands,” Peters explained.
The arrested suspects are expected to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court in due course.
These were confirmed as counterfeits by the brand experts and the preliminary calculations came to the value of R36 million. @SAPoliceService @GTP_Traffstats @Yoliswamakhasi @FaithMazibukoSA @SowetanLIVE @kayafm95dot9 @POWER987News @JacaNews @ewnupdates @Abramjee @IOL pic.twitter.com/gT4ou8dKVz
— GP Department of Community Safety (@GP_CommSafety) January 22, 2020
Meanwhile, hundreds of millions worth of counterfeit goods that were confiscated in 2019 will be destroyed on 23 January.
The response on Twitter was mixed of the joint operation. Some wondered if the goods should rather be donated to poor communities rather than be destroyed. Others said the police must continue the crackdown.
Can these goods not be given to poor communities? People in rural areas can use them. Especially clothes.
— Sithole SC 🇿🇦 (@cs630) January 23, 2020
We also need to break the cycle of not buying these fake goods!But, @GovernmentZA to crack all them down!
— 💞Afrolicious Queen💞 (@MsAfrolicious) January 22, 2020
We are not fools, all those shops in JHB cbd sells counterfeit goods.
— lolonice (@locriss123) January 22, 2020
https://twitter.com/__Lu_k_e__/status/1220050613192601600
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Related articles:
https://northeasterntribune.co.za/244065/r14-million-counterfeit-goods-confiscated-joburg-cbd/
https://northeasterntribune.co.za/240544/r15-million-worth-counterfeit-goods-seized-inner-city/
