Guns and Ammo Found During Renewed Johannesburg Counterfeit Raid

A week after traders in downtown Johannesburg attacked police for raiding their stores in search of counterfeit goods, the South African Police today descended on the city centre again, and found arms and ammunition and phoney merchandise in the ongoing operation.

SAPS continue raiding Johannesburg CDB and confiscated counterfeit goods #SABCNews #JoburgRaid pic.twitter.com/Lj4rskl0sa

— SABC News (@SABCNews) August 7, 2019

A portion of the city centering on Rahima Moosa/Jeppe Street, where the raid took place last week as well, was closed down early in the day so that the police and other law enforcement agencies could carry out their work, according to journalist posts on Twitter.

A man was arrested in the Medical One Shopping Centre building after he was found with several floors of counterfeit goods, arms and ammunition. Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba said at least 30 foreign nationals had been arrested and were being held at Johannesburg Central.

The counterfeit trade is allegedly led by foreign nationals, who have said that they are being unfairly targeted.

COPS DISCOVER GUNS AND AMMUNITION DURING JOBURG CBD RAID! Cops are conducting raids in the Joburg CBD – the same area they were attached last week. They have discovered some guns and ammunition at Level 4 at the Medical Building. #JoburgCBD #JoburgRaid #Joburg pic.twitter.com/tm4XIblmbm

— Daily Sun (@dailysunsa) August 7, 2019

Last week, when police attempted a similar raid, they were violently pelted with stones and objects, so that the police had to retreat. The police said in a statement they had retreated because if they had started shooting there would have been bloodshed. The police said they are still studying CCTV footage of last week’s clash and are hoping to make arrests.

https://twitter.com/Slindelo_M/status/1159047845460238337

https://twitter.com/Slindelo_M/status/1159050081582092288