F/town police net tons of fakes in Chinese shops

Pini Bothoko | Wednesday July 2, 2014 06:59

 

Like other places in Botswana, Chinese shops in Francistown stock fake good with labels such as Nike, Polo, Levis, Lacoste, Puma and Adidas. After the raid, some of the items police confiscated include jerseys of popular soccer clubs such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, shoes, boots, jackets and trousers. Some of the items were as cheap as P30. The shops also sell pirated DVDs, software and electronic equipment. 

The police raided the Chinese shops along Blue Jacket Street and carted away large boxes and 50kg sacks full of clothes after representatives of manufacturers in South Africa had identified the clothes and said they are counterfeits from China.

In one of the businesses, manufacturers’ representatives turned the shop upside down in search of counterfeits. 

Police instructed shop assistants in the affected businesses to vacate and knock off early. The workers looked sad and confused as they left to an uncertain future. 

“I am confused and fear that I will be jobless again. I suffered for so long before finding this job. It is not paying much, but it is better than being jobless because I am able to buy my child food,” one shop assistant said. 

Superintendent Edward Leposo from Central Police Station in Francistown said all the confiscated goods would be destroyed as they are illegal in Botswana. He said each of the Chinese shop owners found guilty will pay over P1,000 in penalties

“We have arrested many and I can say 100 percent of Chinese shops in the city were charged with selling counterfeits and the operation is still ongoing,” Leposo said.

“The charge for those who admit guilt is no less than P1,000. Those who are denying will be charged in court,” he added.  

He said despite numerous raids in the past, the Chinese shops have persisted in selling counterfeit goods. 

Leposo said the operation would continue until all the counterfeit goods have been confiscated. He said the raid is important as the country continues to lose import duty and tax due to unscrupulous shops selling counterfeit brands. 

“The operation was successful because we called manufacturers of the brands from South Africa to help us with identifying the counterfeit items in shops,” he said.

Efforts to interview affected business owners were fruitless, as many were furious and hostile.