Cape Town – The Gauteng Counterfeit and Contraband Goods task team on Tuesday conducted a raid on spaza shops in the West Rand, specifically in Swannieville within the Kagiso policing precinct.
They seized illicit goods as part of their Operation Shanela, which focused on counterfeit products, contraband, and expired food items.
The operation was prompted by concerns following the deaths of two children who allegedly consumed biscuits and juice purchased from a spaza shop.
#sapsGP [EARLIER TODAY] The Gauteng Counterfeit and Contraband task team embarked on #OperationShanela earlier today in the West Rand, in Swannieville, Kagiso policing precinct, focusing on counterfeit products, contraband and expired food. ME pic.twitter.com/Th0ldZOuSk
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) October 17, 2023
The team targeted 24 local supermarkets and spaza shops, confiscating counterfeit goods such as shoe polish, toothbrushes, cigarettes, and expired food items.
Additionally, they arrested 18 undocumented individuals for various crimes, including possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
#sapsGP The Gauteng Counterfeit and Contraband Goods task team’s operation in the West Rand, in Swannieville, Kagiso policing precinct has resulted in the arrest of 18 undocumented persons including one for possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition. The team searched 24… pic.twitter.com/PPCpQMaORF
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) October 17, 2023
The community had previously demanded the closure of foreign-owned spaza shops due to these tragic incidents, and the authorities are urging parents to be vigilant about the safety of what their children consume.
Police have pledged to intensify these operations in the province to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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Picture: X/@@SAPoliceService
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
