LIMPOPO – A Lephalale based businessman, Desta Wonore Ortibo (48) appeared in the Lephalale Magistrate’s Court on 26 September 2022, following his arrest last Friday by the Hawks for dealing in counterfeit goods.

The Head Office Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Intellectual Property Rights in collaboration with brand representative, Adams and Adams assisted by Lephalale K9 Unit and Waterberg Highway Patrol members conducted a search and seizure operation at a supermarket in Lephalale on Friday, 23 September 2022.

The team seized several boxes containing counterfeit Gold Star Yeast worth over R20 000-00.

The sting operation to address counterfeit goods dealings in the Province started on Wednesday and Thursday last week in Dennilton, Marble-Hall, Nebo and Jane Furse where five shops were raided and six alleged counterfeit goods dealers were arrested.

Ortibo was granted R5000 bail and his case was postponed to 03 November 2022. More operations to address counterfeit goods dealings are still going to be conducted.

Source: South African Police Service