R50 million in counterfeit goods seized in nationwide takedown

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The National Counterfeit and Illicit Goods team has seized counterfeit goods worth over R50 million in the past few months nationwide.

R7 Million in Counterfeit Goods Seized in Pretoria and Centurion

According to The South African Police Service, following a community tip-off, the National Counterfeit and Illicit Goods team targeted shops in Pretoria Central and Centurion on Wednesday, 9 April 2025.

Police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk, said “the operation resulted in the confiscation of goods worth more than R7 million.”

“A total of over 2,000 items were seized, including high-end clothing, shoes, handbags, watches, sunglasses, belts, and toys,“ she added.

“Just last month, the team, in collaboration with various stakeholders, managed to seize goods worth more than R43 million in operations across the country.” said Amanda van Wyk

Ongoing Efforts to Combat the Counterfeit Trade

The South African Police Service (SAPS) and its crime-fighting partners actively fight the illegal trade of counterfeit goods.

They aim to protect the economy, legitimate businesses, and consumers from the harm caused by fake products.

SAPS Intensifies Crackdown on Counterfeit Goods

According to Central News, South Africa has intensified efforts to combat the trade in counterfeit items, leading to significant seizures across the country.

In January 2025, the South African Police Service (SAPS) confiscated over 70,000 counterfeit items valued at more than R90 million during operations in Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal.

The seized goods included cellphones and accessories, pharmaceuticals, cigarettes, toys, clothing, and consumables.

These operations resulted in the arrest of 37 suspects from different nationalities.

This highlights SAPS’s dedication to disrupting illegal trade networks and fighting economic crimes.