FOUR business owners have been served with court summons on Tuesday, September 16, following a Hawks investigation over the alleged sale of counterfeit branded goods in Lusikisiki. Lieutenant Colonel Avele Fumba said that the summons emanated from a complaint lodged by a Sandton-based firm acting in trademark-related matters on behalf of well-known brands.

“It was alleged that counterfeit products were being distributed at several businesses in the area. The matter was referred to the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team in Mbizana which conducted a thorough investigation,” she added.

She further said that search and seizure warrants were executed on August 26 and resulted in the confiscation of various alleged counterfeit goods, including branded toothbrushes, deodorants and adhesive products.

“The suspects were subsequently issued with summons to appear before the Lusikisiki Regional Court on October 2 to face charges relating to alleged contraventions of the Trade Marks Act,” she concluded.

-Supplied