A 34-year-old man, Willy Mxolise Mhlongo, was remanded in custody by the Komatipoort Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 9 December 2024, on charges of fraud and contravening both the Customs and Excise Act, Act 91 of 1964, and the Counterfeit Goods Act, Act 37 of 1997.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi revealed that the arrest followed a coordinated operation involving Nelspruit-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation officers and Komatipoort SAPS. Information was received at around 2:00 a.m. on Monday about a suspect transporting counterfeit goods from Naas, Nkomazi, to Gauteng.
The team intercepted a Toyota Quantum on the N4 tollgate road near the Jeppe’s Reef turn-off in Komatipoort. Upon searching the vehicle, they discovered counterfeit sneakers valued at R3.5 million. The haul included 407 pairs of Nike sneakers, 559 All-Star pairs, 80 Reebok pairs, 244 New Balance pairs, 92 Converse pairs, and 354 Jordan pairs.
The goods, along with the vehicle, were confiscated. Mhlongo was arrested and appeared in court later the same day, where he was remanded in custody. The case has been postponed to 17 December 2024 for a bail application and legal representation.
Authorities continue to warn against the trade and transport of counterfeit goods, citing economic and reputational harm to legitimate businesses.