The Zambia Police have seized 89 suspected counterfeit KoPa Jerseys, the Football Association of Zambia has confirmed.
According to a joint statement by Zambia Police and the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) the KoPa seized belongs to Tich B Investment shop owned bi Mike Bwalya Chibale of Silverest Area.
“Lusaka – The Zambia Police Intellectual Property Unit (IPU) has seized 89 suspected counterfeit Replica Jerseys from Tich ‘B’ Investments shop in Kamwala area of Lusaka. The shop is owned by Mike Bwalya Chibale aged 45 of Silverest area in Chongwe.
Football Association of Zambia is the rightful holder of the Replica Jerseys branded KoPa which is legally registered.
The IPU seized 89 suspected counterfeit Replica Jerseys valued at K40,050. Police have since arrested and charged Mike Bwalya Chibale aged 45 for the offence of Make, import or have in his possession an Covering, labels reels or any Reproduction, Replica or Representation of a trade mark or mark as to be likely to Deceive for the purpose of applying them to goods contrary to Section (1) (g) of the Merchandise Marks Act Chapter 405 of the laws of Zambia.
The accused will appear in court soon. May I take this opportunity to warn all traders, who are deceiving the public by selling counterfeit products to desist from this vice as the law will soon visit them.”
FAZ General Secretary Reuben Kamanga has thanked the Zambia Police for having continuously conducted operations to clean up fake replicas.
“In February 2018 we had a Chinese national sentenced to nine months with hard labour for selling fake replicas and we were hoping that the precedent would deter members of the public from dealing in fake replicas. Members of the public are encouraged to purchase authentic products that are currently being sold at FAZ and authorised dealerships,” Kamanga said.
