Cops bust major fake document operation 

By Everson Luhanga

Police are convinced they have dealt a big blow to criminal syndicates that produce fake documents in Gauteng.

This comes after they arrested five people on Thursday afternoon in Kempton Park, Gauteng, for manufacturing a wide range of fake documents.

They were found in possession of several machines for producing police clearance certificates, driver’s licences, matric certificates, firearm competency certificates, payslips, and medical certificates.

Ekurhuleni metro police department spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said the city’s police community liaison unit task team and the Gauteng special law enforcement unit arrested two Malawians, two Nigerians and one South African for generating fake documents.

“The members received information from sources about a syndicate dealing in false documentation,” Dlamini said.

“Upon arrival [at the premises], they found photocopying, fax and heat machines, which the suspects used for printing fake documentation.” 

The suspects, two Malawians, two Nigerians and a South African were detained at Kempton Park police station and face charges of fraud, uttering and trying to bribe the officers with R1,000.

In a separate matter, on Wednesday, two Cameroonian nationals, Jude Yaya Oka and Evans Akor Tiku, appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court for allegedly making counterfeit South African and United States currency.

Hawks spokesperson Captain Lloyd Ramovha said: “The team descended on the premises in Silver Lakes, Pretoria. A self-storage unit was searched after the two suspects were interviewed.

“Inside the storage unit were black plastic bags that the accused were loading into a nearby parked vehicle. Counterfeit South African rands, US dollars, and a printer used to produce the fake money were seized. The pair were charged with contravening the Currency Act and violating the Reserve Bank Act.

 In many other operations, the National Counterfeit Goods Unit led multiple intelligence driven takedown operations in different parts of the country and seized counterfeit goods worth more than R94 million and arrested five foreign nationals.

Lieutenant-Colonel Amanda van Wyk of the Hawks said that in less than three weeks, the South African Police Service and its crime-fighting partners had seized counterfeit goods worth more than R94-million and arrested five foreign nationals.

• On 16 August, counterfeit clothing and sneakers worth over R37-million were seized from a self-storage facility in Doornfontein, Gauteng.
• On 25 August, counterfeit goods, including sneakers, clothing, watches and backpacks worth over R41-million, were seized at a shopping centre in Bellville, Western Cape.
• On 29 August, counterfeit sanitary pads, deodorants and other consumables worth over R4.8-million were seized from a self-storage facility in Mayfair, Johannesburg.
• On 29 August, counterfeit sanitary pads, hair extensions, toothbrushes and other consumables worth over R9.3-million were seized at a smallholding in Bredell, Kempton Park.
• On 2 September, counterfeit shoe polish, deodorant, toothbrushes and other consumables worth over R2-million were seized from a self-storage facility in Bonaero Park, Benoni, Gauteng.

Pictured above: The five suspects arrested for producing fake documents and, at centre, some of the machines and printers used to print fake documents.

Source: Ekurhuleni metro police department