Johannesburg – More than 1 700 counterfeit sports apparel and footwear items, along with manufacturing equipment, have been seized during a police operation at a storage facility in the Johannesburg CBD ahead of the Springboks’ highly anticipated clash against New Zealand.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) said the counterfeit goods had an estimated value of more than R1.5 million.
The seizure followed an intelligence-driven, multi-disciplinary operation led by the National Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Unit earlier this week.
The operation involved the Gauteng Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Unit, Public Order Policing (POP) Unit, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), South African Revenue Service (SARS) Customs Division and brand protection representatives.
According to SAPS, officers executed several search-and-seizure warrants at the facility, where they discovered counterfeit sports merchandise bearing protected and well-known brands, including Springboks-branded apparel.
The police said the timing of the operation was significant as demand for team merchandise is expected to rise ahead of the Springboks’ encounter against New Zealand.
“In addition to the counterfeit merchandise, police seized manufacturing equipment and materials believed to have been used in the production and distribution of counterfeit goods,” SAPS said.
The seized equipment included counterfeit labels and stickers, an embossing machine and silkscreen plates.
SAPS said the operation formed part of ongoing nationwide efforts to disrupt criminal networks involved in the manufacture, distribution and sale of counterfeit and illicit goods.
“The operation forms part of ongoing nationwide efforts by SAPS and its law enforcement partners to disrupt and dismantle criminal networks involved in the manufacture, distribution and sale of counterfeit and illicit goods,” the police said.
Authorities have urged rugby supporters to be cautious when buying team merchandise and to avoid purchasing suspiciously priced or unauthorised products.
“SAPS urges members of the public to remain vigilant and to purchase sports merchandise from legitimate and authorised retailers,” the statement said.
The public has also been encouraged to report suspected counterfeit goods to the relevant authorities.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
