Police seized fake Apple watches, football jerseys worth R160m across SA

2026-03-28 - 15:40

The South African Police Service (Saps) seized counterfeit goods worth more than R160 million during multiple takedown operations in different parts of the country this week. Police spokesperson Lieutenant ColonelAmanda van Wyk said most of the items were seized in Bellville, Western Cape. “The National Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Unit led a joint takedown operation in Bellville on Tuesday, 24 March 2026, which resulted in the seizure of counterfeit goods worth more than R117 million,” she said. Collective effort She noted that the team which helped seized the illicit items include members from the Western Cape Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Unit, Crime Intelligence, the National Intervention Unit (NIU), Public Order Policing (POP), officials from the South African Revenue Service (SARS) Customs Division, and brand protectors. “The team seized over 130 000 counterfeit items, including branded clothing, sports apparel, sneakers, caps, sunglasses, and watches,” said van Wyk. “In Gauteng, police executed several takedown operations in Johannesburg, Tshwane, Meyerton, Vanderbijlpark, and Vereeniging throughout the week.” Fake football jerseys seized. Picture: Supplied Manufacturing plant shutdown Van Wyk said the operation to clamp down illicit trade saw a manufacturing plant of these items get shutdown. “In one operation, the Gauteng Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Unit, with support from various role players, shut down a counterfeit manufacturing plant operating in a medical building in the Johannesburg CBD,” she said. “Counterfeit goods and label-printing machines worth over R28 million were seized.” Fake apple watches seized. Picture: supplied Cigarettes worth R15 million Van Wyk added that a takedown operation in KwaZulu-Natal resulted in the seizure of a large consignment of counterfeit cigarettes worth over R15 million in Sydenham. “These operations form part of ongoing national efforts to address the illegal trade in counterfeit and illicit goods in the country,” she said. “The illegal trade in counterfeit goods not only undermines the economy of South Africa, but also threatens consumer health and safety, infringes on intellectual property rights, and erodes legitimate businesses.”