Police seize counterfeit goods worth over R20 million in Bruma operation
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk said the large-scale operation, involving units such as the Hawks, Crime Intelligence, SARS, Customs, Home Affairs, and private security, led to the arrest of 35 suspects connected to counterfeit goods.
'The operation resulted in the arrest of 35 individuals. One suspect was arrested for contravening the Counterfeit Goods Act, while 34 foreign nationals were arrested for contravening the Immigration Act.'
Van Wyk added that the operation confiscated over 24,000 counterfeit products, including imitation branded clothing.
'Acting on intelligence gathered, the team executed search and seizure warrants following the Customs and Excise Act and the Counterfeit Goods Act. The operation led to the seizure of over 24,000 counterfeit items, including branded clothing, footwear, handbags, perfumes, jewellery, and cellphone accessories,' she said.
Van Wyk stressed that SAPS continues to fight tirelessly against the illegal trade in counterfeit goods to protect consumers, back legitimate businesses, and preserve the integrity of the country's economy.
Last month, police seized counterfeit goods worth over R50 million in nationwide operations, including illicit cigarettes valued at R4.5 million during a takedown.
Van Wyk said the takedown operation targeted shops in Pretoria Central, Centurion and Brits in the North West.
"More than 2,000 items were seized that including high-end counterfeit clothing, shoes, handbags, caps, watches, sunglasses, and belts as well as toys," said van Wyk.
Three Bangladeshi nationals were also arrested for contravening the Immigration Act during the operations.
The Star
[email protected]
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
20 minutes ago
- IOL News
Fraudulent law degree leads to charges against former NPA prosecutor
Luthando Nomandindi is facing serious charges after purportedly defrauding the State of more than R1.1 million as a fake prosecutor. Image: Supplied/SAPS A former prosecutor for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is facing serious charges after allegedly defrauding the State of more than R1.1 million. Luthando Nomandindi, 33, appeared in the Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crime Court in the Eastern Cape facing charges of fraud, forgery, and uttering. The charges stem from Nomandindi's time at Walter Sisulu University (WSU), where he was enrolled in a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree programme from 2010 to 2016. Despite being registered for six years, Nomandindi failed to satisfy the academic requirements necessary for graduation. Police spokesperson Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana said: "Despite this, in 2020, Nomandindi apparently submitted a falsified LLB degree certificate and a bogus Legal Education and Development (L.E.A.D) attendance report as part of his application to the NPA's Aspirant Prosecutor Programme, which required a legitimate LLB qualification or proof of final-year status." Mhlakuvana said based on his fraudulent credentials, in January 2021, Nomandindi was appointed as an Aspirant Prosecutor and later elevated to the position of Public Prosecutor. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Using the same fake qualifications, Nomandindi applied for a promotion at the Regional Court as a Court Prosecutor and he was shortlisted for appointment. However, his fraudulent reign came crashing down when the NPA sought original academic certificates from him. In a panic, Nomandindi resigned on March 15 this year, just before the original documents were to be reviewed. The discrepancies in his qualifications were quickly flagged, leading to the investigation by the Hawks' Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit. The inquiry revealed that WSU had never conferred any LLB degree upon Nomandindi. Furthermore, the Legal Education and Development organisation confirmed that due to outstanding fees on his account, they had never issued him an attendance report either. Nomandindi was arrested on July 22, and made a court appearance on the same day. He was subsequently released on R5000 bail. The matter was posted to August 18, for disclosure of docket contents. Cape Times
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
PICS: Ex-girlfriend arrested for burning down house in Limpopo, causing R500,000 damage
According to the police report, a man was sleeping in his house when his ex-girlfriend knocked at the door, and he did not open, and the woman went berserk. Image: SAPS A 27-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with an arson incident that occurred at her former boyfriend's house at Steve Biko, in the Villa Nora policing area. The arson attack happened on Friday morning, at around 5am, 25 July 2025, at about 05:00. 'According to the report, the male complainant was sleeping in his house when his ex-girlfriend knocked at the door, and he did not open,' said Limpopo provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba. 'She started breaking the windows. He woke up and sought assistance from the neighbors, and that's when the suspect burned down the house.' Police were called to the scene and opened a case of arson. The police officers immediately commenced investigations, and the woman was successfully apprehended. Police said the total damage caused by the fire is estimated at R520,000, 'including all belongings that were destroyed'. The arrested woman is set to appear before the Phalala Magistrate's Court on Monday, facing a charge of arson. The torched house Image: SAPS At the time, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said officers arrested a 46-year-old man in connection with an alleged arson attack that took place on March 20 at around 9 pm. Mashaba stated that a 36-year-old woman from Homu Village was inside her shack when she allegedly heard her ex-boyfriend threatening to set it on fire. When she opened the door, she saw the suspect standing in her yard, holding a container — believed to contain petrol—and a box of matches. He added that the woman escaped and hid nearby before the suspect could ignite the shack. 'The victim fled the shack and hid nearby. The suspect allegedly proceeded to puncture a JoJo water tank with a sharp object before pouring a flammable substance over the shack and setting it alight.' Emergency services, including police and firefighters, rushed to the scene, but the blaze had already consumed the shack and belongings worth an estimated R20,000. Mashaba also mentioned that charges of arson and malicious damage to property were swiftly filed. 'Cases of arson and malicious property damage were immediately opened, and the suspect, who resides in the same village, was swiftly apprehended. Preliminary investigations further revealed that the victim had an active protection order against the suspect,' he added. [email protected] IOL News
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
'The police don't work!' Really? Let's weigh critique against evidence
Members of the South African Police Service preparing for the 2025 State of the Nation Address at the Castle of Good Hope. Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers This pejorative chorus echoes from certain corners of society, often lacking context and driven by subjective, biased, and unfair characterisations. These claims, often border on disinformation- and they do a disservice to apparent facts. A simple search reveals the staggering reality: South Africa's correctional centres are critically overcrowded. As of early 2025, approximately 167,300 inmates are housed in facilities built for just 107,346 - an excess of about 60,000 individuals, resulting in an overcrowding rate of 56%. These aren't minor offenders- they include murderers, rapists, hijackers, and other hardened criminals. Let it be made abundantly clear: these inmates did not walk into custody voluntarily. Complex SAPS intelligence-led driven investigations - were coordinated by diligent, dedicated, hardworking men and women in blue, to bring about watertight cases resulting in these convictions. For instance – just recently, we have witnessed no less than noteworthy – prominent cases being brought before courts – whose outcomes were severe convictions – while others are still awaiting trials and sentences – among them they includes: Sibusiso Ncengwa, convicted for the murder of Sindiso Magaqa, was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment by the Pietermaritzburg High Court on 7 July 2025. His co-accused, Sbonelo Myeza and Mbulelo Mpofana, will face trial in October 2025. Six suspects were arrested in connection with the murder of Kiernan 'AKA' Forbes and Tebello 'Tibz' Motsoane, executed in Durban on 10 February 2023. Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala, a Pretoria-based tenderpreneur, was also arrested in May 2025 following a high-profile investigation. He faces charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and money laundering, all linked to a botched hit on actress Tebogo Thobejane. But that's just the surface. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ His company, Medicare24, cancelled by the National Commissioner of Police Fannie Masemola upon realizing that there was something untoward – when it was controversially awarded a R360 million health services tender. In July 2025, four suspects - including alleged mastermind KT Molefe and former police detective Michael Tau - were arrested for the murder of DJ Sumbody, gunned down in Woodmead in November 2022. Firearms recovered from the scene are linked to ten other high-profile cases. Meanwhile, SAPS commercial crime investigators made significant strides: At least 12 Eskom employees were arrested for corruption-related offences in 2024/25, working with NAT JOINTS and internal security teams. Eight Transnet-linked individuals, including former executives, were arrested between July 2024 and June 2025: Brian Molefe, Siyabonga Gama, Anoj Singh, and Thamsanqa Jiyane - for a R93 million locomotive tender fraud. Zakhele Lebelo and Phathutshedzo Mashamba - for R10 million in kickbacks. Garry Pita - for irregular payments in the broader procurement scandal. These breakthroughs stem from meticulous investigations into state capture-era contracts - proof that the system works when led and given the support it deserves. We are witnessing progress within state-owned entities - locomotives are transporting people and goods to their various destinations; the restoration of Eskom has brought a halt to loadshedding – whose impact have severely devastated the economy, and energy is fuelling optimism and economic momentum. While internal controls by various state owned entities deserve recognition, we must not overlook the crucial role of SAPS investigators in safeguarding national integrity. Their work against complex white-collar crime is indispensable. To those who peddle cynicism and misinformation: dissent is valid, and holding institutions accountable is necessary. But criticism must be equitable, principled, and evidence-based - not reactive, selective, or prejudicial. 'When criticism is done objectively – with the intention to develop – and empower – will be the first to acknowledge our fallibilities and take corrective measures to improve – service delivery' says the National Commissioner, Fannie Masemola. * Thabo Moetji, South African Police Service (SAPS) Media Liaison. ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media.
