Government says it ‘reasserted its authority’ in the Joburg CBD

In a statement on Thursday, the police said that their massive joint operation with law enforcement agencies in Gauteng that comprised of Provincial Traffic Police and Saturation Unit, immigration officers (Home Affairs), SARS Customs, the Joburg Metro Police Department, and clothing brand owners had been very successful.

The police returned to the CBD on Wednesday after they were attacked a week ago in a failed operation targeting counterfeit goods.

“The intelligence-led operation focused on counterfeit goods and related criminal activities in the Johannesburg Central Business District.”

They said that they had achieved the following, among other things:

• Over 560 undocumented foreign nationals were taken in for processing. Their status in the country would be determined by the Department of Home Affairs while the Local Criminal Record Centre from the SAPS would determine criminal records;
• Unlicensed firearms – 6 rifles, 6 pistols, 4 shotguns and hundreds of ammunition of varying calibres were found in one room on the 12th floor of Medical One Shopping Centre in Rahima Moosa Street. A suspect was arrested for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. The firearms would be subjected to ballistic testing to determine possible usage in the commission of crimes.
• Large consignments of counterfeit goods including clothing and sneakers were found in different buildings. The monetary value was yet to be determined;
• Intelligence further led police to Lister Building where 46 vehicles including panel vans were found on different levels of the basement parking. The vehicles were loaded to capacity with more counterfeit goods, which were confiscated by the police.

The confiscated goods would be disposed of in a similar manner as the last public disposal of more than R500 million worth of counterfeit goods in April.

“Worth noting was the arrest of seven police officers by their own colleagues, for corruption and defeating the ends of justice. In the first incident, a Warrant Officer and four Constables were arrested at Johannesburg Central Police Station after they were caught attempting to resell confiscated goods back to the illegal traders,” said the police.

“In the second incident, two members from the Tactical Response Team were arrested after police investigated a possible leak of information about the planned operation in the Johannesburg CBD. The two were linked through investigation and on an eyewitness account. Police believe the loot found in the 46 vehicles in the basement parking at Lister Building, could be the cargo that was removed the night before after the illegal traders had received a tip-off.”

Gauteng Provincial Commissioner of police Lieutenant General Elias Mawela commended the work of the Crime Intelligence and Anti-Corruption unit who made sure the operation was a success.

“We certainly hope that the arrest of seven of our own will prove to the people of Gauteng that we are serious about eradicating crime, even if it means arresting our own. No one is above the law,” the commissioner said.

General Mawela also thanked Gauteng’s law abiding citizens for their continued support to “Operation O kae Molao” and for sharing credible information about known criminals in their respective spaces. Counter Intelligence measures had been put in place to ensure that these illicit goods did not end up recycled back into the hands of criminals.

Meanwhile, Gauteng Premier David Makhura also welcomed the arrest of criminals who traded in counterfeit goods. The premier said: “As South Africans we must work collectively to build our economy and create much needed jobs. We need to make a significant dent in the illegal trade of counterfeit goods as they pose an economic risk against our efforts as a country.”

Police Minister General Bheki Cele visited the operations in the CBD and said, in support of the operation: “Bravo to the SAPS, we remain resolute of the capabilities of our men and women in blue. We told the nation that we will continue to stamp the authority of the state. We cannot have parallel governance with criminals. Therefore we will continue to squeeze the space for criminals to zero regardless of race, gender or nationality.”

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