In a major win against cross-border economic crime, a 46-year-old Mozambican national, Eurico Zandamela, has forfeited counterfeit sportswear worth over R12.5 million following a foiled smuggling attempt at the Lebombo Port of Entry earlier this year.
Zandamela was apprehended on 23 February 2024 while attempting to smuggle the illicit goods from Mozambique into South Africa. He was the sole occupant of a truck that was intercepted by vigilant border officials, who had grown suspicious after the vehicle was queued in the lane typically used for empty trucks.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi, spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), also known as the Hawks, Zandamela is believed to have conspired with 32-year-old South African national, Sibusiso Ngwenya, a contracted security guard stationed at the port.
“The driver, Zandamela, was the lone occupant of the truck. He allegedly colluded with a 32-year-old South African security guard, Sibusiso Ngwenya, who allegedly tried to assist Zandamela to bypass the system,” stated Lt Col Nkosi.
The suspicious behaviour prompted Port of Entry personnel to conduct a thorough search of the vehicle, which led to the discovery of a large consignment of counterfeit sportswear concealed in the truck's trailer. The fake merchandise bore branding of globally recognised labels such as Adidas, Nike, Diesel, CAT, Puma, LaPorte, New Balance, and Redbat. The total estimated value of the seized goods was R12,526,544.
Both suspects were promptly arrested, and the matter was handed over to the Hawks’ Nelspruit-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit for further processing. Zandamela and Ngwenya were each granted bail set at R5,000.
Fast forward to Tuesday, 30 September 2025: Zandamela appeared before the Mbombela Specialised Commercial Crimes Court where he pleaded guilty to the charges. He was sentenced to a fine of R150,000 or, alternatively, three months’ imprisonment. Half of the sentence was suspended for five years, on the condition that he does not commit a similar offence during that period. All the counterfeit goods were permanently forfeited to the state.
Ngwenya, on the other hand, entered a plea of not guilty. His case has been postponed to 11 December 2025 as he seeks to prove his innocence.
The Provincial Head of the DPCI in Mpumalanga, Major General Nico Gerber, commended the sharp-eyed officials at the border for their commitment and teamwork.
"People who bring counterfeit goods, including foodstuff and medicines, into the country are the ones collapsing our economy and putting people's livelihoods at risk," said Major General Gerber.
This case underscores the importance of continued vigilance and collaboration between law enforcement agencies and border control staff in protecting South Africa's economy and consumer safety from the scourge of counterfeit goods.
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