Three Arrested in Middelburg for Possession of fake Goods Worth R1 Million
By: Tumelo Lebambo
Police in Mpumalanga have arrested three suspects — two women and a man, aged between 30 and 38 — after uncovering counterfeit goods worth an estimated R1 million during a routine patrol on the N4 Road in Middelburg on Tuesday.
this after they received a tip-off about a three-ton-truck suspected of transporting illicit goods from Nelspruit.
Following the tip-off, officers began stopping trucks that matched the description. One vehicle with Gauteng registration plates, heading toward the Middelburg Toll Plaza, drew their attention. Inside the truck were two Mozambican women and a male driver.
The truck was sealed, and the driver initially claimed that it was empty. However, when officers requested documentation for the seal, he could not produce any. Upon further inspection, the police discovered large boxes covered in black refuse bags and sealed with tape.
Inside the boxes were sneakers, slides, soccer boots, and flip-flops bearing various brand names, believed to be counterfeit. Preliminary investigations suggest the goods were en route to Johannesburg for distribution.
Police confiscated the following items:
- 15 large boxes containing assorted sneakers, slides, and flip-flops of different labels and sizes
- 52 forensic bags filled with various branded footwear items
The estimated value of the seized goods is around R1 million, and the truck was impounded for further investigation.
All three suspects were charged with possession and dealing in counterfeit goods in contravention of the Counterfeit Goods Act. They are expected to appear before the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court soon.
