Counterfeit Goods and illicit Trade
By Mpho Moloi
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has intensified its crackdown on counterfeit goods and illicit trade, seizing more than 70,000 counterfeit items valued at over R90 million during multiple operations in Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal in January 2025.
These operations led to the arrest of 37 suspects of various nationalities, highlighting SAPS’s commitment to dismantling illicit trade networks and curbing economic crimes.
Major Counterfeit Goods Seizure and Arrests
The SAPS National Counterfeit Goods Unit, supported by:
✔ Provincial Counterfeit Goods Units
✔ The Department of Home Affairs
✔ South African Revenue Service (SARS) Customs Division
✔ Brand Protectors
… conducted a series of takedown operations targeting the manufacturing, distribution, and sale of counterfeit goods in hotspot areas.
The confiscated goods included:
✔ Cellphones and accessories
✔ Pharmaceuticals
✔ Cigarettes
✔ Toys
✔ Clothing
✔ Consumables
Authorities said that the illegal trade of counterfeit products poses significant health risks to consumers, causes financial losses to legitimate businesses, and undermines the economy.
Operation Vala Umgodi: Expanding Crime-Fighting Efforts
A key component of these operations was the involvement of the Mission Action Joint Operation Centre (MAJOC) roving team, comprising SAPS members from:
✔ Tactical Response Team (TRT)
✔ Public Order Policing (POP)
✔ SAPS Drone Pilots
These specialized units were initially deployed as part of Operation Vala Umgodi, a national initiative primarily aimed at combating illegal mining activities. However, the task force was expanded to target other crimes, including the illicit counterfeit goods trade.
SAPS noted that criminal syndicates involved in counterfeit operations are often linked to broader criminal enterprises, including illegal mining, smuggling, and organized crime networks.
SAPS Counterfeit Goods Unit Wins National Excellence Award
In recognition of its efforts, the National Counterfeit Goods Unit was awarded “Visible Policing Team of the Year” at the SAPS National Excellence Awards, held on Sunday, 26 January 2025.
This award acknowledges the unit’s effectiveness in tackling large-scale counterfeit operations and protecting South African consumers from illicit goods.
SAPS officials praised the unit for its dedication and strategic intelligence-driven operations, which have resulted in significant busts and arrests.
Police Commitment to Fighting Counterfeit Trade
SAPS has reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling the illegal counterfeit goods trade, which it describes as a serious economic crime affecting both businesses and consumers.
Authorities have vowed to continue raiding illicit operations, particularly those operating in high-risk areas across major provinces.
SAPS urges businesses and the public to report suspicious counterfeit activities, as these operations not only harm legitimate companies but can also pose severe risks to consumers, particularly in the case of counterfeit medicines, food, and electronics.
What’s Next?
✔ Ongoing SAPS operations to target and shut down counterfeit supply chains.
✔ Further collaboration with SARS, Home Affairs, and private-sector brand protectors to disrupt illicit trade networks.
✔ Enhanced monitoring of key smuggling routes and informal trading hubs to curb the sale of counterfeit goods.
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