Durban Metro Police swoop of counterfeit goods traders

Durban – Durban Metro Police are cracking down on counterfeit goods in the city centre swooping in several shops and stall owners plying their trade in knock-off products. On Wednesday police conducted a joint enforcement blitz confiscating counterfeit goods to the estimated value of R295 000. According to a statement on its website, the eThekwini Municipality said the store owners were fined on the spot. The goods will be stored until brand owners issue a notice to destroy the them. The city said that the enforcement forms part of the multi-departmental inner city regeneration campaign that is conducted daily in an effort to ensure compliance with various bylaws.

Counterfeit items include face creams, name brand clothing, name brand shoes, hair products and certain over the counter medications. In November, R6 million worth of counterfeit clothing was confiscated during a sting operation at the King Shaka International Airport. The find followed a two-day operation undertaken by the South African Revenue Services (Sars). The operation saw Sars officials conducting a high-visibility operation in and around KSIA, along with their counterparts from SAPS, Immigration, Cross Boarder Road Traffic Agency and Metro Police. The aim of the operation was to clamp down on issues of non-compliance regarding the import and export of goods. In December, more than half a million rands in counterfeit goods were seized from three reputable stores in Durban. Knives and pens were among the items confiscated.