Few issues cut as deeply into fleet safety and operational stability as the infiltration of counterfeit parts. ZF Aftermarket’s Head of Sales for Africa, Vijay Mawalall, is sounding an urgent alarm: “Counterfeit automotive parts present a significant and growing challenge across South Africa’s automotive aftermarket,” he warns. For an industry built on reliability, the infiltration of substandard components is becoming one of the most dangerous and economically corrosive trends shaping the transport environment today.

Counterfeits fuel a multi-layered crisis
Mawalall points out that these fake components “impact safety, operational reliability and the broader economy” and that the list of affected stakeholders reads like a snapshot of the entire value chain. Dealerships, distributors, fleet operators, workshops, regulators, compliance bodies and industry associations are all exposed to escalating risk, he says.

These components, often made from inferior materials and totally devoid of proper testing, are directly responsible for premature failures and avoidable downtime. Mawalall emphasises the consequences: “These parts can cause premature mechanical failures, accidents and costly downtime.”

The pressure cooker effect of rising economic strain and an ageing fleet has created fertile ground for counterfeits. “Ageing vehicle fleets, which average 12 years or more, have heightened demand for cheaper parts,” he says.

That pressure, combined with the boom in anonymous on-line marketplaces, is tilting the playing field in favour of illegal suppliers. Border and customs teams are battling to keep up. Many shipments emanate from sophisticated networks that treat South Africa’s transport economy as an easy target.

The damage extends far beyond a failed component. “Counterfeits don’t just compromise individual vehicle safety,” Mawalall says. They “erode industry trust, disrupt supply chains, damage brand reputations and reduce tax revenues,” undermining job security in a sector that underpins national mobility.

The ripple effects land hardest in logistics, mining, agriculture and fleet management, where reliability is the currency of survival, he explains.

A call for coordinated industry action
For Mawalall, the way forward is clear and non-negotiable: “Stakeholders must strengthen procurement protocols by sourcing exclusively from authorised distributors and accredited workshops, ensuring full traceability.”

He stresses the need for constant skills development so technicians can confidently spot and reject fakes. “On-going technician training is essential,” he insists, adding that fixing the problem requires more than vigilance from operators alone:

“Enhanced collaboration among regulators, law enforcement, customs and industry bodies is critical to intensify inspections, monitor digital marketplaces and dismantle counterfeit supply networks.”

The good news is, technology is beginning to tilt the advantage back towards legitimate suppliers. Mawalall notes the emergence of “QR code verification, RFID tracking and blockchain-enabled traceability” as powerful tools for supply chain transparency and customer confidence.

“Transparency and accountability throughout the parts ecosystem are vital,” he says, and are central to preserving the integrity of the aftermarket.

“Addressing the counterfeit crisis requires concerted and coordinated action from all stakeholders to protect road safety, operational uptime and economic growth,” he concludes. “Without decisive measures, counterfeit automotive parts will continue to undermine one of South Africa’s most critical and economically significant sectors.”

Editor’s comment: Mawalall’s warning lands at a crucial time for the road transport industry. As fleets stretch vehicle life to contain costs, counterfeiters are exploiting every weakness in procurement, enforcement and digital oversight. The industry cannot afford to normalise this risk. Counterfeit parts are not a side issue – they are a direct threat to safety, compliance and the competitiveness of South African logistics. The message from ZF Aftermarket is clear and urgent: only coordinated pressure, transparent sourcing and uncompromising standards will protect fleets.

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