Raids at three shops in Buffalo City Metro this week — part of a three-day swoop — saw the confiscation of illegal goods worth more than R2m.
This after an intelligence-driven operation found many shops in the metro were selling sub-standard goods.
The confiscated items ranged from hazardous goods to illegal foods, electronics and hair products.
The operations at three metro stores were co-ordinated by the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) and included officials from various other government departments and law enforcement.
Raids were carried out at a shop in Hemingways Mall and another simultaneously in Mdantsane.
Despite the raids happening in front of them, some customers carried on shopping.
One customer said though they welcomed the raid, they saw no point in leaving as “almost all shops are selling similar products”.
But it is a bit uncomfortable having the law enforcers here because you do not know what they are checking
— Customer
The customer said she would continue to buy what she had come for since it was cheaper.
“In today’s life everyone wants to see where they can save money.
“You can find these same products at another shop but for more money.
“I think other shops also sell illegal goods, not only this one. And spaza shops as well.
“But it is a bit uncomfortable having the law enforcers here because you do not know what they are checking.”
Another person said they welcomed the intervention as it meant there were fewer illegal goods in the shops, and if the shops had to close down, it would be for a good reason.
The raids began on Tuesday and continued until Thursday, with shop owners in Beacon Bay, Hemingways and Mdantsane, and the Qonce CBD, watching helplessly as large amounts of stock were loaded onto NRCS trucks and taken for testing and disposal.
Shops which offered resistance were told they could be closed down until all investigations were completed.
The raids happened across a variety of stores, including car repair shops, appliance shops and food shops.
Stakeholders present at the interventions included the Eastern Cape department of economic development, environmental affairs and tourism, the National Consumer Commission, SA Revenue Service’s customs unit, the Border Management Authority and the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa).
Daily Dispatch
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