Mbombela – A 46-year-old Mozambican truck driver has been sentenced after pleading guilty to smuggling counterfeit sportswear worth more than R12 million into South Africa through the Lebombo Port of Entry.
Eurico Zandamela appeared before the Mbombela Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Tuesday, 30 September 2025. He admitted guilt and was handed a sentence of a R150 000 fine or three months in prison. Half of the sentence was suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence during that period.
Zandamela was arrested on 23 February 2024 after officials at the port of entry intercepted his truck, which was loaded with counterfeit clothing. Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi said the driver had allegedly colluded with a 32-year-old South African security guard, Sibusiso Ngwenya, who was working for a contracted company at the port.
Nkosi explained that officials became suspicious when the truck was directed to join a line of unloaded vehicles. A search uncovered sportswear hidden in the trailer, including brands such as Adidas, Nike, Puma, Diesel, CAT, New Balance, LaPorte and Redbat. The goods were valued at R12,526,544 and forfeited to the state.
Both Zandamela and Ngwenya were arrested and later released on R5 000 bail. While Zandamela has now been sentenced, Ngwenya pleaded not guilty and his case was postponed to 11 December 2025.
The Hawks’ Nelspruit-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit handled the matter. Provincial head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Nico Gerber, said teamwork by border officials was commendable, noting that counterfeit goods threaten the economy and people’s livelihoods.
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