Hawks seize suspected counterfeit goods worth R7m in Gqeberha

Two people are expected to appear in the Gqeberha New Law Court after a Hawks investigation into the alleged sale of counterfeit branded merchandise worth about R7 million.

Two Gqeberha shop owners, aged between 30 and 40, have been served with summons for allegedly contravening the Counterfeit Goods Act after the Hawks seized suspected counterfeit branded merchandise worth about R7 million.

The two were served with summons and are expected to appear before the Gqeberha New Law Court on October 29.

Eastern Cape Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana said the Gqeberha Serious Commercial Crime Investigation (SCCI) unit had recorded a significant intervention in the fight against the trade in counterfeit branded merchandise following a search-and-seizure operation that resulted in the confiscation of the goods.

Mhlakuvana said the operation was conducted on September 16 at Sneaker Freakz, situated at the corner of Bell and Beetlestone roads in Gelvandale, Gqeberha.

“The investigation was initiated following test purchases conducted by a representative of the affected brand holders,” he said.

In June, a test purchase resulted in the acquisition of sneakers suspected to be counterfeit Adidas products.

“A further test purchase was subsequently conducted, during which sneakers suspected to be counterfeit Nike products and Lacoste T-shirts were purchased.” 

Mhlakuvana said the information and evidence obtained during the test purchases led to a case docket being opened and prompted Hawks investigators to advance the investigation.

The Hawks, working with Spoor & Fisher and relevant stakeholders from the Department of Justice, obtained a search warrant enabling the search-and-seizure operation at the premises.

The operation resulted in the recovery and seizure of a substantial quantity of merchandise suspected to be counterfeit.

“The estimated value of the confiscated stock is R7 million,” Mhlakuvana said.

Following the seizure, the merchandise was secured for further examination.

Mhlakuvana said the investigation subsequently resulted in two suspects, aged between 30 and 40, being served with summons for alleged contraventions of the Counterfeit Goods Act.

“A painstaking investigation by the joint team identified the suspects as the owners of the retail shop,” he said.

The illicit trade and distribution of counterfeit branded merchandise is primarily concentrated in Gauteng, the Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.