Police seized counterfeit goods worth more than R8 million and arrested 12 undocumented suspects during an operation in Marabastad in Pretoria last week.
SAPS spokesperson Colonel Amanda Van Wyk said the National Counterfeit Unit had led a team comprising police officers from various specialised units, officials from the Department of Home Affairs, South African Revenue Service, Brand Protectors and security officers during the crackdown operation.
“The operation resulted in the seizure of various counterfeit items such as clothing apparel, shoes, caps and bags,” Van Wyk said.
The arrests are the latest in a wave of recent police crackdowns on illicit counterfeit goods, mostly imported, in recent weeks.
“Just two weeks ago, the team also seized counterfeit goods to the value of R13m during a take-down operation in the Johannesburg CBD,” Van Wyk added.