MPUMALANGA – The Boschfontein Regional Court has on Thursday 2nd July 2020 found guilty and convicted Armando Tome (35) for possession of counterfeit goods and contravention of Illegal Immigration Act.
On 11 March 2020, the accused was arrested at Lebombo Port of Entry while importing counterfeit goods (different branded of sneakers) with an estimated street value of over R2million. The accused pleaded guilty on both counts and he was remanded in custody pending his sentence scheduled for 23 July 2020 in the same court.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Major General Zodwa Mokoena applauded the professionalism displayed by the Investigation team for the quick finalization of the investigation. “I take it upon my shoulder, to applaud the work well done by my team together with the judiciary. We hope that the upcoming sentence will send a strong message to those who are still in the act of peddling or importing the counterfeit goods as it destroys and delays the growth of our economy, Major General Mokoena concluded”.