By BAKANG MOKOTO
29 September 2025- The South African Police Service (SAPS) together with its crime-fighting partners said, they continue to record commendable progress in dismantling the illegal trade in counterfeit and illicit goods across the country. Within a week, police seized counterfeit goods valued at more than R260 million during multiple takedown operations in North West.
The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk said more than 100 shops in and around Coligny, Klerksdorp, Lichtenburg, Mahikeng, Potchefstroom, Rustenburg, Ventersdorp and Zeerust, were identified and targeted between 15 and 24 September 2025. Van Wyk said from these operations, police confiscated over 86 000 counterfeit items that include designer branded clothing, sports apparel, footwear, bags, caps, toys, and consumables.
“The police also confiscated counterfeit medicines valued at more than R45 000, along with illicit cigarettes and liquor. The integrated operations were led by the National Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Unit, supported by Public Order Policing and Crime Prevention Units in North West as well as major role players such as the South African Revenue Service (SARS) Customs Division and brand protectors,” she said.
Van Wyk further said acting under the authority of the Counterfeit Goods Act, 1997, custom officials and brand protectors play a crucial role in identifying, verifying, and detaining counterfeit items. She added that the Act protects intellectual property rights by prohibiting and preventing the trade in and manufacturing of counterfeit goods.
“These recent operations form part of ongoing national efforts to disrupt organised criminal networks, protect legitimate businesses, and safeguard the public from potentially harmful products,” said van Wyk.
The Guardian 