Embassies 'used for smuggling'

Mkhuseli Vimba of the trade and industry department said on Wednesday that “consignments” of counterfeit products were being discovered at embassies.

Criminals had adopted this strategy as no South African law enforcement officer was allowed to touch any product with a diplomatic tag.

“That is why criminals have relations with people in embassies,” Vimba told delegates at the Moshito music conference and exhibition.

If discovered, the products were sent back from where they came. He said most of the fake goods came from Mozambique.

Vimba said the department was facing a “serious” challenge of fighting the “ever increasing” number of counterfeit DVDs and CDs in the country.

“Between January and December 2007, 95 search and seizures were conducted and products, mostly relating to the entertainment industry, were seized in 67 raids.”

Asked if any officials at embassies had been arrested for such cases, Vimba said his department had decided to include foreign affairs to avoid “spoiling” relations between SA and other countries.

Source: Business Day

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