MBOMBELA – Undeclared sneakers worth an estimated R11,3 million were recently confiscated at the Lebombo Border Post.
This marks a major seizure by SARS customs who conducts daily inspections at all ports of entry in an effort to stop the smuggling of goods in and out of the country.
“This is the largest bust, with the highest value ever at the Lebombo Border Post. They included over 14 167 pairs of branded sneakers consisting of 2 948 pairs of Nike, 920 Pumas, 3 415 Adidas and 6 884 All Stars, which are all counterfeit tekkies destined for South Africa from Mozambique,” explained Mr Luther Lebelo, spokesperson for SARS.
“Our officials stopped the truck in the cargo bypass area for inspection and documents handed by the driver indicated that the truck and its trailer were empty but the curious officials continued to search the truck’s trailer and discovered boxes of sneakers which had not been declared,” added Lebelo.
“The sneakers were detained pending Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) verification by
the various brand holders. The truck was also detained to determine if it was liable for forfeiture.
A case had been opened with the South African Police Services for further investigation,” Lebelo said. He added that SARS would continue to work with other law-enforcement agencies
to protect the country and its citizens by disrupting organised crime and reducing illicit trade activities.
