Operations intensified aimed at combating counterfeit, contraband and illicit goods across Gauteng

Products

Gauteng police, together with various law enforcement and regulatory agencies, have intensified operations aimed at combating counterfeit, contraband and illicit goods across the province.

Between Tuesday, 25 August and Friday, 28 August 2026, multidisciplinary operations were conducted in Boksburg, Brixton, Alrode in Alberton and Randfontein, resulting in the seizure and detention of thousands of goods.

On Tuesday, 25 August 2026, members of the Gauteng Counterfeit Unit conducted an operation in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni District, where four shops were visited.

The operation resulted in the seizure of:

* 10 083 counterfeit consumable products, valued at R107 250;
* 22 counterfeit toys, valued at R18 700; and
* 100 illicit pharmaceutical products, valued at R3 500.

A total of 10 205 items, valued at R129 450, were seized.

On Wednesday, 26 August 2026, the Gauteng Counterfeit Unit, together with the Commercial Unit and a brand protector, executed a search-and-seizure warrant at a house in Brixton, Johannesburg District.

The operation resulted in the seizure of 16 540 counterfeit Always products, with an estimated value of R590 000.

On Thursday, 27 August 2026, a multidisciplinary operation was conducted at a premises in Alrode, Alberton, Ekurhuleni District. The operation involved members of the Gauteng Counterfeit Unit, Commercial Unit, Border Police, a brand protector, Department of Employment and Labour, National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS), Department of Health and Department of Home Affairs.

Although no counterfeit Always products were found, several regulatory interventions were executed.

The Department of Employment and Labour issued two notices for contraventions and improvement.

The Department of Health took noodle products for sample testing.

The NRCS confiscated the following items:
* 11 279 boxes of pre-packed noodles ready for sale, valued at R1 297 085;
* 365 locally produced noodle packaging rolls, valued at R854 100; and
* 826 imported noodle packaging rolls, valued at R3 678 840.

A total of 12 470 items were detained by the NRCS, with an estimated value of R5 830 025.

The Department of Home Affairs issued one infringement notice for the employment of foreign nationals without valid work permits, with a penalty amount of R10 000.

On Friday, 28 August 2026, members of the Gauteng Counterfeit Unit, together with a brand protector, conducted an operation in Randfontein, West Rand District.

Four shops were visited during the operation, resulting in the seizure of:

* 826 counterfeit consumable products, valued at R29 600;
* 100 counterfeit toys, valued at R10 000; and
* 679 illicit honey products, valued at R54 320.

A total of 1 605 items, with an estimated value of R93 920, were seized during the operation.

The combined value of the goods seized during the operations conducted between 25 and 28 August 2026 is approximately R6,643,395.

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