War against counterfeit goods ongoing, warns Cele
Police minister Bheki Cele jokingly told delegates at the 13th International Law Enforcement Intellectual Property Crime Conference that their bags would be searched at the door in a search for counterfeit goods.
The two-day conference kicked off in Cape Town on Tuesday where Cele addressed the delegates about the challenges of intellectual property crime.
Cele said the focus has shifted from illegal traders to manufacturing and distribution points of counterfeit goods.
"In an effort for us to dismantle these syndicates and suffocate the network we have shifted our focus from targeting illegal traders to focusing on manufacturing and distribution points. This is yielding results.
"These illicit acts undermine the rule of law."
Earlier this year, the minister led an operation in the Johannesburg CBD that led to at least R235 million worth of fake goods being confiscated.
"In South Africa we have declared a war against counterfeit goods," he added.
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