A 34-year-old man, Willy Mxolise Mhlongo, was remanded in custody by the Komatipoort Magistrate’s Court on December 9 after being caught with counterfeit goods valued at R3.5 million.

Mhlongo faces charges of fraud and violations of the Customs and Excise Act and the Counterfeit Goods Act. His case has been postponed to December 17 for a bail application and legal representation.

Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Dineo Sekgotodi revealed that intelligence received on Monday indicated a suspect transporting counterfeit goods from Naas in Nkomazi to Gauteng.

“The driver of a Toyota Quantum was stopped and searched on the N4 tollgate road near the Jeppe’s Reef turn-off in Komatipoort. During the search, counterfeit sneakers valued at R3.5 million were found,” Sekgotodi said.

The seized goods included:

• 407 pairs of fake Nike sneakers
• 559 pairs of fake All-Star sneakers
• 80 pairs of fake Reebok sneakers
• 244 pairs of fake New Balance sneakers
• 92 pairs of fake Converse sneakers
• 354 pairs of fake Jordan sneakers

Both the vehicle and the counterfeit goods were confiscated. Mhlongo was arrested, charged, and appeared in court the same day, where he was remanded in custody pending further legal proceedings.