By Foday Moriba Conteh
An investigation conducted by The Calabash Newspaper has uncovered alarming allegations involving a Chinese businessman, reportedly the owner of China Dasheng Company Limited, who is accused of importing counterfeit RR electrical cables into Sierra Leone.
According to credible sources, the Sierra Leone Police acted on intelligence and raided the premises of the businessman, identified as Jason. During the operation, officers reportedly discovered and seized 30 cartons of suspected counterfeit RR cables. Jason was arrested and taken into custody but later released on bail, while the seized cables remain under police investigation.
The discovery comes at a time when Sierra Leone has witnessed a worrying surge in fire-related incidents across the country. Authorities from the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) have previously linked many of these disasters to substandard electrical installations, particularly the use of inferior cables.
Industry insiders say the case raises serious concerns about the safety and quality of electrical products circulating in the local market. Experts fear that the continued use of counterfeit cables could have devastating consequences for households, businesses and national infrastructure.
Further investigations by The Calabash Newspaper revealed that the RR cables in question are a registered trademark of SV Electrical, a reputable company based on Siaka Stevens Street in Freetown. Since 2019, SV Electrical has been the sole authorized importer and distributor of genuine RR cables in Sierra Leone.
In recent months, however, SV Electrical reportedly discovered that counterfeit versions of their product had begun appearing in the market. These substandard cables, bearing the same branding, have not only undercut the business but also posed grave safety risks to consumers.
In a public advisory, SV Electrical reaffirmed its position as the exclusive distributor of RR cables in the country. The company urged customers to verify the authenticity of products by purchasing directly from their main store on Siaka Stevens Street or their branch at Hastings Junction. They emphasized that they serve both wholesale and retail customers.
Authorities have issued strong warnings to importers and traders against the importation and sale of counterfeit or substandard electrical products. Law enforcement officials have stressed that anyone found guilty of violating import regulations or compromising public safety through the sale of counterfeit cables will face full prosecution under the laws of Sierra Leone.
The Sierra Leone Police are continuing their investigation into the case, and the outcome is expected to send a strong message to rogue importers and ensure the safety of electrical infrastructure in the country.
However, concerned citizens have expressed the view that any of those counterfeit cables seized must be destroyed to prevent the likelihood of them entering the market.
This medium made several attempts to contact Jason, owner of China Dasheng Company Limited via WhatsApp messages and phone calls to obtain his response to the allegations. However, as of press time, those efforts proved unsuccessful. We remain open and willing to publish his side of the story should he choose to respond.
