R351m worth of counterfeit and illicit goods seized in Limpopo operations

Police and law enforcement agencies in Limpopo have seized counterfeit and illicit goods worth more than R351 million and arrested 43 suspects during high-density operations across the province.

The operations, conducted between Monday, 24 August and Friday, 28 August, targeted Polokwane, Mokopane, Mookgophong and Mankweng, as well as parts of the Mopani District.

A total of 63 search and seizure warrants were executed during the operation, resulting in the confiscation of a wide range of non-compliant, counterfeit and illicit products.

These included cellphone accessories, branded clothing and footwear, jewellery, cosmetics, fashion accessories, toys, consumable goods, illicit medicines, agricultural products, pesticides, honey, alcohol, as well as electrical, automotive and mechanical products that failed to meet compulsory specifications.

The total value of the seized goods was estimated at more than R351 million. 

The operation involved multidisciplinary teams from the SAPS National Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Unit, Public Order Policing, Border Policing, Tactical Response Team, Firearms, Liquor and Second-Hand Goods Control, and SARS Customs and enforcement units.

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority, National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications, Department of Agriculture, brand protectors, Environmental Management Inspectors and several provincial and municipal departments also participated.

A separate operation, Operation Retshepeng, was conducted on Friday in Tzaneen, Maake and Hoedspruit under the Mopani District.

The operation, led by Limpopo Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers, resulted in the arrest of 43 suspects aged between 30 and 45 for various offences.

Among those arrested were 22 foreign nationals who were allegedly in the country illegally. They included four Zimbabweans, seven Mozambicans, one Malawian, one Somali national and nine Ethiopian nationals.

Police also arrested a suspect for working without a permit, one for possession of an unlicensed firearm, two for dagga-related offences, three for possession of illicit cigarettes, one for public indecency and three for illegal gambling.

Five people were arrested for trading without a licence, two for violating protection orders, one for assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and another for common assault.

An illegal shebeen was also shut down during the operation.

Police seized 30 boxes containing 1,500 cartons of illicit cigarettes with an estimated street value of R300,000.

Other confiscations included a Toyota Hilux bakkie, cannabis weighing 247.72g and 0.07g of dried cannabis, 18 balls of cannabis and 14 packets of cannabis.

Police also confiscated assorted liquor, three tower batteries, two knives, a screwdriver, a side cutter and another motor vehicle.

Three vehicles were impounded, four warrants of arrest were executed, and 127 traffic summonses worth R76,000 were issued.

Scheepers commended the various law enforcement agencies and stakeholders involved in the operations, saying their collaboration was key to protecting consumers and ensuring compliance with the law.

“The operations will continue to be intensified across the province,” he said.

The arrested suspects are expected to appear before their respective magistrates' courts.

Limpopo SAPS spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba confirmed the operations.