Four Zimbabweans Arrested For Fake Petroleum Products In South Africa

Four Zimbabweans were arrested for having fake petroleum products in South Africa after being caught by the South African Police Service.

Law enforcement authorities executed a coordinated operation on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Centurion, resulting in the interception of a shipment containing counterfeit petroleum products.

The confiscated goods, with an estimated value of R225,000, were part of a scheme to distribute fraudulent petroleum oils within the market.

Collaborative Effort Leads to Arrests

A collaborative effort between the National Counterfeit Unit, Commercial Crimes Investigations (CCI), and brand protection agencies facilitated the successful execution of the operation.

Acting on actionable intelligence, law enforcement secured a search and seizure warrant, leading them to a location in Monavoni, situated on the outskirts of Centurion, Gauteng.

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During the operation, authorities confiscated over 3,000 litres of counterfeit petroleum products masquerading as reputable brands. The deceptive packaging aimed to mislead unsuspecting consumers.

The seized items will serve as crucial evidence in the prosecution of the involved parties under the provisions of the Counterfeit Goods Act 37 of 1997.

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Legal Ramifications for Suspects

As a consequence of the raid, four Zimbabwean nationals were apprehended. The Department of Home Affairs will verify their residency status as part of the ongoing investigation.

The suspects will face charges related to contravening the Counterfeit Goods Act 37 of 1997, underscoring the severity of engaging in illicit trade practices.