KEY POINTS
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Two men were arrested in Boksburg after offering EMPD officers R30,000 to ignore a warehouse storing counterfeit luxury items, including Nike and Louis Vuitton products.
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Gauteng’s counterfeit trade, valued at R12 billion yearly, drains revenue from legitimate businesses and fuels organized crime networks.
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Convictions under South Africa’s Counterfeit Goods Act carry penalties of up to a decade in prison, though enforcement remains challenged by syndicate tactics.
Two men, aged 40 and 49, were arrested in Boksburg North after allegedly attempting to bribe Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) officers with R30,000 to avoid prosecution for possessing counterfeit goods.
IOL reports that the arrests occurred around 1 p.m. on Tuesday during a routine patrol by the EMPD’s Community Liaison Unit.
EMPD spokesperson Katlego Mphahlele stated that officers received a tip-off about a warehouse on Dr. Vosloorus Street suspected of storing merchandise. Upon arrival, the officers found two men at the premises. One of the men allegedly offered the officers R30,000 to overlook the illegal items. “He was immediately placed under arrest,” Mphahlele said.
Crackdown on counterfeit goods intensifies across Gauteng
A subsequent search of the warehouse revealed a cache of clothing items, including brands such as Nike, Gucci, Versace, Philipp Plein, Karl Lagerfeld, Galxboy, Amiri, and Louis Vuitton. The two suspects were taken to Boksburg North Police Station and are expected to appear in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court soon, facing charges related to possession of counterfeit goods and bribery.
This incident is part of a broader effort by South African law enforcement to combat the proliferation of goods. In a separate operation in November 2024, the South African Police Service (SAPS) seized over 1,000 counterfeit products valued at approximately R391,677 in Boksburg, resulting in multiple arrests .
Nationally, the SAPS has intensified its crackdown on merchandise. In January 2025, coordinated raids in Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal led to the confiscation of counterfeit items worth over R90 million and the arrest of 37 individuals .
These operations targeted a wide range of counterfeit goods, including clothing, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and consumables.
Authorities emphasize that counterfeit goods not only infringe on intellectual property rights but also pose significant risks to consumers due to substandard quality and potential health hazards. The trade in counterfeit products undermines legitimate businesses and the broader economy.
The EMPD urges the public to report any suspicious activities related to counterfeit goods and bribery. “Our members are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with the law. Lawlessness and criminality will not be tolerated within the EMPD,” said City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Zweli Dlamini. “The matter is under investigation, and we will allow the law to take its course.”
