Last month,the South African Police Service(SAPS) has revealed that confiscated counterfeit goods worth more than R90 million in two provinces across the country.
Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk said the South African Police Service(SAPS) seized more than 70 000 counterfeit items valued at over R90 million and arrested 37 suspects of various nationalities during multiple takedown operations conducted in Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal throughout January 2025.
She mentioned that the seized counterfeit and illicit goods included cellphones and accessories,pharmaceuticals,cigarettes,toys,clothing,and consumables.
She stated that these operations were led by the National Counterfeit Goods Unit,with support from the provincial Counterfeit Goods Units,the Department of Home Affairs,the South African Revenue Service(SARS) Customs division,and brand protectors.
She highlighted that a MAJOC roving team,comprising of SAPS members from various specialised units such as the Tactical Response Team(TRT),Public Order Policing(POP),and SAPS drone pilots deployed in Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal as part of OPERATION VALA UMGODI,also formed part of the operations.
She pointed out that these law enforcement agencies were multitasking during these operations and one of them received an award last month.
"While primarily focused on combating illicit mining,these teams also target other criminal activities within the provinces."
"Notably,the National Counterfeit Goods Unit was crowned overall winner in the Visible Policing Team of the Year category at the SAPS National Excellence Awards held on Sunday,26 January 2025,"she added.
She emphasized that the SAPS remains dedicated to dismantling the illegal trade of counterfeit and illicit goods,which pose risks to consumers,harm legitimate businesses,and undermine South Africa's economy.
Four suspects arrested for hijacking and illegal firearm
Members of the police arrested four suspects between the ages of 22 and 36 for hijacking,possession of illegal firearm and ammunition on Friday.
According to Sergeant Wesley Twigg,the members were busy with patrols in the Khayelitsha area when they noticed a Volkswagen Golf which was stolen earlier in Lentegeur,Mitchell's Plain.The members tried to stop the vehicle but the driver of the vehicle refused to stop.A high-speed chase ensued and the suspects jumped out of the vehicle in Bonga Drive where they were chased on foot.They arrested two suspects and one was found in possession of a 9mm pistol with ammunition.
He said the suspects aged 22 and 23 face charges for the illegal possession of a firearm,ammunition and possession of a stolen motor vehicle and will appear in the Khayelitsha Magistrates' court on Monday.
In a separate incident,police arrested another two suspects after receiving a tip-off about stolen vehicle which might be hidden in the house in Khayelitsha too.
She said furthermore,members of the Maitland Flying Squad searched a premises in Lingelethu West after they received information about a possible hijacked vehicle,however the vehicle was not at the premises.They searched the house and found a 9mm pistol with ammunition hidden under a mattress in the bedroom.Two suspects age 22 and 36 were arrested for the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
She added that they will appear in the Khayelitsha Magistrates' court on Monday on the mentioned charges.