馃嚳馃嚘South AfricaSouthern Africa
Police seize over R100 million in fake luxury goods, including Bafana jerseys, in Western Cape crackdown
via The Citizen1 min read
Police in the Western Cape have confiscated over R100 million in counterfeit luxury goods, including fake Bafana Bafana jerseys, from the Bellville Shopping Complex. This action follows two multidisciplinary operations conducted within a week by the South African Police Service's National and Western Cape Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Units. The first operation, a week prior, resulted in the seizure of goods valued at over R98 million. The most recent raid on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, targeted more than 40 shops and yielded counterfeit branded clothing, shoes, bags, watches, sunglasses, caps, and packaging estimated at R10 million. SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk stated that these operations are part of nationwide efforts to combat the trade in counterfeit and illicit goods, which pose a threat to public safety, legitimate businesses, and the country's economy. The Cape Town Metropolitan Police Department, City of Cape Town Law Enforcement, and brand protectors supported the operations.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Citizen.
South Africans are invited to participate in the 'Go Healthy with Taiwan 2026' campaign, a global initiative offering international exposure for innovative ideas in health, wellness, cycling, and smart healthcare technologies. Launched in Johannesburg by Impilo Global Events and Taiwanese stakeholders, the campaign encourages South African innovators, entrepreneurs, universities, NGOs, healthcare professionals, researchers, sports scientists, and community leaders to submit proposals. These proposals should combine local implementation with Taiwanese technologies and expertise to address health challenges in South Africa. The initiative aims to provide participants with international exposure, foster cross-border partnerships, and offer opportunities to compete for global awards. CJ Lo, director of the economic division at the Taipei liaison office in South Africa, noted Taiwan's leadership in healthcare innovation. Three global winning proposals will each receive a $30,000 award. The top six finalists will be invited to Taiwan for enterprise visits, health innovation experiences, and professional pitch coaching, while the top 20 finalists will receive one-on-one mentorship and collaboration opportunities with Taiwanese enterprises. In 2025, the campaign attracted 638 proposals from 55 countries. Ellen Hsu, director of the Taiwan trade centre Johannesburg, expressed optimism about South Africa's potential, citing impressive proposals received despite limited promotion last ye
EFF leader Julius Malema, speaking at a Youth Day rally in Pretoria, stated that young people who support the ANC must be ashamed. He suggested that young individuals wearing ANC t-shirts are not sane and might need prayers or have forgotten their medication. Malema claimed the ANC has lost credibility and that wearing its regalia publicly has become an embarrassment. In contrast, he said EFF t-shirts are met with salutes, as the party represents the hope and future of South Africa, aiming to deliver economic freedom. Malema asserted that the EFF is the only party reflecting the aspirations of the majority of black youth, including those currently supporting the ANC. He expressed satisfaction with the large youth turnout at the rally and encouraged them to register for upcoming local government elections to help the EFF gain control of municipalities. Malema urged his supporters to remove the "corrupt ANC" from power, citing instances of councillors' families having jobs while others in the community remain unemployed as a sign of corruption. He also noted that some ANC leaders in KwaZulu-Natal have expressed embarrassment about wearing ANC regalia in public due to brand damage to the party.
The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has ordered the Minister and National Commissioner of Correctional Services to repay at least R1.7 million to Bloemfontein Correctional Contracts BCC, the company operating the Mangaung Correctional Centre. This ruling follows the department's decision to take control of the private prison in March 2023, ten months after rapist and murderer Thabo Bester escaped. Acting Judge DM Hinrichsen found that the department had no legal right to invoke Section 112 of the Correctional Services Act, which grants emergency powers, as there was no present threat to safety and security at the time. The judge suggested the commissioner might have acted with "improper purpose" due to heightened media attention surrounding Bester's "embarrassing" escape. Bester, serving a life sentence, allegedly faked his death in May 2022 by bribing G4S officials, a company contracted by BCC to operate the prison. G4S was fined R880,000 for the escape. The department claimed R1.72 million in credits from BCC for running the prison between March and July 2023, which BCC paid "under protest" before challenging the decision in court. The 25-year contract between BCC and the department is set to expire at the end of June this year.