Shoppers in North West towns may have noticed some unusual police activity recently—and for good reason.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) and its partners launched a massive operation to clamp down on counterfeit and illicit trade, pulling millions of rands worth of fake goods off the streets in just one week.
Goods Worth Over R260 Million Seized
Between 15 and 24 September, SAPS teams moved into towns including Coligny, Klerksdorp, Lichtenburg, Mafikeng, Potchefstroom, Rustenburg, Ventersdorp, and Zeerust.
More than 100 shops were targeted, and the results were staggering: counterfeit items valued at over R260 million were confiscated.
Fake Designer Goods and More
Among the seized goods were more than 86,000 items ranging from luxury-branded clothing, sportswear, and footwear to bags, caps, toys, and even food products.
Police also uncovered counterfeit medicines worth more than R45,000, along with large stashes of illicit cigarettes and alcohol.
Coordinated Effort Behind the Raids
The large-scale operation was spearheaded by the National Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Unit, working hand-in-hand with Public Order Policing, Crime Prevention Units, the SARS Customs Division, and brand protection representatives.
Together, they checked and verified products, detaining items that breached the Counterfeit Goods Act of 1997.
Protecting Shoppers and Legitimate Businesses
Authorities stress that the law exists not just to defend intellectual property, but also to protect everyday consumers from potentially dangerous and low-quality fake products.
Counterfeit goods often don’t meet health and safety standards, putting buyers at risk without them even knowing it.
A National Push Against Organised Crime
Officials have made it clear this is part of a much bigger picture.
The clampdown forms part of ongoing national efforts to disrupt organised crime networks, support legitimate local businesses, and keep communities safe from unsafe and illegal products.