VANDERBIJLPARK – Vanderbijlpark Civic Center was painted blue on Tuesday, October 22 when different law enforcement agencies raided shops dealing in counterfeit goods

.The successful operation saw dozens of stores closed down, several goods seized and some foreign nationals arrested.

Led by Provincial Counterfeit Goods Unit, Vanderbijlpark SAPS, Brand Protectors and Amapanayaza [Crime Prevention Wardens] formed the group that confiscated goods worth R 593 220-00 [Five-hundred and ninety-three thousand, two hundred and twenty].

The amount was from 1744 goods that included cigarettes, cellphone covers, and facial creams among many other items.

Two suspects dealing in illicit cigarettes were arrested and three fines to a total of R4800 were issued.

Speaking to Ster, Provincial Counterfeit Goods Unit Commander, Sanet Williams said the raids are a continuation.
“These raids are done almost every week all over Gauteng. This wasn’t our first in this town and it’s definitely not the last,” she said.

“The South African economy has gone down due to these illicit goods that are sold by foreign nationals hence we conduct these raids. We’ve seen cases where South Africans are getting sick due to some products sold in these shops and some are having skin problems because of the creams applied on their bodies. We are making sure that we taking those off the streets,” she said.

Williams said SAPS Gauteng is enforcing the law and making sure that those who break the law account for their actions.

“The operation meant a lot to us SAPS as it is our mandate to bring perpetrators to justice and ensure that South Africans are safe and protected at all times. We are not going to rest until perpetrators are brought to book and illicit goods are off our streets,” she said.