GAUTENG — Two foreign nationals, aged between 37 and 50, were arrested in the Windmill Park informal settlement for allegedly operating a makeshift manufacturing facility producing counterfeit detergents and chemical products. The coordinated law enforcement operation was executed by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team, based at Headquarters, in collaboration with Public Order Policing based in Springs.
According to the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team, the probe was initiated after receiving actionable intelligence from a brand holder regarding a suspected illicit operation producing unauthorized detergents and foam bath products. Acting on this information, investigators targeted and visited two specific addresses within the Windmill Park informal settlement on Tuesday, 18 August 2026.
Upon searching the premises, law enforcement officials discovered substantial quantities of both raw chemicals and finished goods. The seized finished products included thick bleach, fabric softener, dishwashing liquid, and foam bath. Investigators allege that the suspects mixed raw chemicals in 200-litre barrels before repackaging the mixture into recycled containers. These containers were fraudulently affixed with labels mimicking well-known brands manufactured by Unilever and Colgate-Palmolive.
The raw chemical materials recovered at the scene include caustic soda, Kulubrite, soda ash light, sodium hypochlorite, and sodium chloride. These substances are commonly utilized in the commercial manufacturing of soaps and detergents. Authorities also confiscated numerous empty containers that were awaiting cleaning and subsequent reuse in the ongoing repackaging operation.
All seized finished products and raw chemicals will be subjected to rigorous forensic chemical analysis. This testing is required to determine the exact composition of the substances and to legally establish whether they are counterfeit and in contravention of applicable commercial and intellectual property legislation.
The two suspects remain in custody and are scheduled to appear before the Vosloorus Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 19 August 2026, to face charges related to the illicit manufacturing and distribution of counterfeit goods.
