The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation welcomes the conviction and sentencing of counterfeit goods dealers by the Musina Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 25 May 2021.
On Friday 21 May 2021, the Hawks members in collaboration with Polokwane Tactical Response Team, Musina Visible Policing and Customs Beitbridge Port of Entry raided four shops that were dealing in counterfeit goods in Musina town.
During the raid, assortment of counterfeit sneakers bearing different brands to the value of over R250 000-00 were seized and subsequently four shop owners were arrested.
On 24 May 2021, the four accused persons, Abdul Umer, Sultan Girbo, Abrahim Asan and Abdul Karim entered into a plea agreement with the State and their case was postponed to 25 May 2021 for sentencing.
Abul Umer and Abrahim Asan were each fined R10 000-00 or 10 months imprisonment, while Abrahim Asan was fined R24 000-00 or two years imprisonment. The fourth accused Abdul Karim was fined R5000-00 or five months imprisonment. Half of these sentences are suspended for five years.
Furthermore the order was granted by the court to forfeit all the seized counterfeit goods to the State.