Photo: 15 large boxes of mixed footwear
Three suspects, aged between 30 and 38, have been arrested after police from the Middelburg Flying Squad intercepted a truck carrying counterfeit goods valued at approximately R1 million on the N4 near Middelburg.
The arrests were made on Tuesday, 04 November 2025, around 12:30 during routine patrols and stop-and-search operations. Officers received intelligence about a three-ton white truck seen loading suspected illicit goods in Nelspruit. Acting on the information, members began stopping trucks along the route and eventually flagged down a Gauteng-registered vehicle heading towards the Middelburg Toll Plaza.
Inside the truck were two women from Mozambique and a male driver. Officers noticed the cargo area was locked with a seal. Despite the driver’s claim that the truck was empty, he could not provide documentation for the seal. A further search revealed large boxes wrapped in black refuse bags and sealed with tape.
Inside the boxes, police found sneakers, slides, soccer boots and flip-flops of various brands, colours and sizes. In total, the confiscated items included:
- 15 large boxes of mixed footwear
- 52 large forensic bags filled with branded sneakers, slides and flip-flops
Photo: 52 large forensic bags filled with Counterfeit Goods
Preliminary investigations indicate that the consignment may have been destined for Johannesburg. The truck was seized for further investigation.
All three suspects have been charged with possession, distribution and dealing in counterfeit goods and are expected to appear in the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court soon.