By Buziwe Nocuze
As thousands of excited rugby fans arrived to watch the Springboks play the All Blacks, some sellers tried to make quick money by selling fake Springbok jerseys and caps outside the DHL Stadium in Green Point, Cape Town, on Saturday.
But their plans didn’t work out. Police confiscated fake goods worth over R200,000.
Western Cape SAPS spokesperson, Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi, said the operation involved the police, law enforcement, and brand protectors who worked together to stop the sale of the clothing around the stadium.
“During the operation, fake goods were taken, and fines were given for selling without permits,” Swartbooi said.
Western Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, called the sale of fake goods “economic sabotage” and praised the operation.
“These actions should be a warning to those trading in fake goods,” Patekile said.
Resident Sindiswa Tetyana said she understands why people sell fake goods, though she doesn’t support it.
“Life is hard, and people are trying to feed their families. Maybe they didn’t know it was illegal to sell these items,” she said. She hopes the sellers will be taught how to sell legally.
Another resident, who didn’t want to be named, felt bad for the sellers.
“I don’t think they deserve to be harassed by the police. They aren’t robbing anyone, and there are bigger issues, like drug dealers, that the police should focus on,” said the resident.
Pictured above: The fake caps.
Source: Supplied
