Counterfeit goods worth R17 mln seized in nationwide SAPS crackdown
SAPS has warned consumers against buying counterfeit and illicit goods.
Black News 
The South African Police Service (SAPS), with support from its crime-fighting partners, has seized counterfeit goods worth more than R17 million and arrested 16 suspects during recent nationwide operations.
The operations, led by the National and Provincial Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Units together with various law enforcement agencies, were carried out across the Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and the Western Cape during April this year.
Police say 33 takedown operations were executed. According to SAPS, nine suspects were arrested for contravening the Immigration Act, five for violating the Counterfeit Goods Act and two for contravening the Liquor Act.
The seized items included counterfeit branded clothing, sports apparel, cellphone accessories, toys, pharmaceuticals, consumables, as well as counterfeit liquor and cigarettes.
#sapsHQ [NATIONWIDE COUNTERFEIT GOODS RAIDS] #StopIllicitTrade #SayNOtoCounterfeitGoods
The #SAPS, with support from its crime-fighting partners, seized counterfeit goods worth more than R17 MIL and arrested 16 suspects during recent nationwide ops.Spearheaded by the National… pic.twitter.com/PwvF459G5Y
— SA Police Service
(@SAPoliceService) May 9, 2026
SAPS has warned consumers against buying counterfeit and illicit goods, saying the illegal trade poses serious risks to public safety and the economy.
In a statement, police say counterfeit products are often produced outside regulated systems “with no regard for quality standards, safety, or lawful trade practices.”
The police also warned that legitimate businesses suffer major financial losses due to illegal trade, which impacts production and jobs.
